Over 100 companies bid for subcontractors in Belene nuclear project

Russia’s AtomStroyExport reports that more than 100 Bulgarian companies are interested in construction works in the Belene nuclear project. According to the signed contract between the Russian company and the National Electricity Company, not less than 30% of the EUR 4bn project value should be allocated to local companies. AtomStroyExport in partnership with France 's Areva and Germany 's Siemens has signed a preliminary contract for building ground infrastructure, supply, installation and commissioning of two power reactors with production capacity of 1,000MW each. The final assignment is expected to be signed by the end of this year so that the first nuclear unit could start operations in early 2014.