Italian power company Enel is interested in investing in the construction of Bulgaria’s second nuclear plant at Belene, on the Danube, regardless of whether the cabinet will want a minority or majority stake partner. This was announced on March 1.

Russia’ Atomstroyexport and Czech affiliate Skoda Alliance may form a consortium to build Bulgaria’s second nuclear power plant at Belene. The offers submitted by the two companies were opened in February, and the contractor company will be appointed most probably by June 2006. Both Atomstroyexport and Skoda Alliance are controlled by natural gas major Gazprom through its Gazprombank. Besides, the two companies are bidding for the contract to build two 1000 MW units at Belene. Gazprombank has already drafted a financing scheme for the Belene project at preferable terms which will have a positive impact on the final project price, and the Russian Federation is ready to extend state guarantees. Some 20 Bulgarian companies have deposited their proposals for subcontracting by Atomstryexport, Parigin said.

Enel, Italy’s largest power company and Europe’s second-largest listed utility, intends to invest about 15 billion euro in the energy sector in south east Europe over the coming years and is not concerned about the amount of the funds necessary for the construction of Belene. According to Enel’s representative for the Balkans, Enrico Viale, between two and 2.5 million euro are needed for the construction of Bulgaria’s second nuclear plant.