Russia's AtomStroyExport is rumoured by the Moscow-based news agency Prime-TASS as a favourite in the competition for building a 2GW nuclear plant in the northern Bulgarian town of Belene . The information is based on unofficial sources from the National Electricity Company and rumours circulated in the local daily Trud . Another local daily, Dnevnik, comments that the panel appointed to pick up a main contractor is likely to take a decision in favour of the Russians but will also leave an option for participation of the Czech bidder Skoda Alliance. AtomStroyExport and Skoda Alliance are the only candidates for building and commissioning 2 power generators of the nuclear plant. The cost estimates vary in the range of EUR 2bn to EUR 4bn but no official information is unveiled by far. Economy and energy minister Roumen Ovcharov said during the weekend that the winner in the tender will be announced in a few days. The act is expected to take place shortly after the release of the EU progress report on Sept 26. Construction works are projected to start early next year so that the first unit of the nuclear plant could become operational in 2012.