The National Electricity Company (NEC) has selected France ’s BNP Paribas as leading and structuring bank in the EUR 4bn project for construction of a 2,000MW nuclear plant in the Danube town of Belene , economy and energy minister Petar Dimitrov revealed yesterday. BNP Paribas won against another French contender -- Societe Generale The contract is expected to be enforced in 30 days. Last year, NEC signed a contract with the French BNP Paribas for syndicating a five-year EUR 250mn bridge loan for engineering, equipment supply and construction works during the first year of the project. NEC is expected to select a strategic investor for 49% of the company set to administer construction works and operate the nuclear plant by the end of July. Germany ’s energy company RWE Power is reportedly leading the competition, but NEC may also offer to RWE and the other shortlisted bidder, Belgium ’s Electrabel, to share the tendered stake. The two bidders should present binding offers and to reveal its financing opportunities at the beginning of June. The state will retain the majority of 51% in the shareholders’ capital. Russia ’s AtomStroyExport has already signed the contract to supply and install the two power reactors of the plant. The first unit of the nuclear plant is expected to start operations in early 2014 and the second one in 2015.