Vladimir Zhidkikh, member of Federation Council Nuclear Energy Sub-Committee

– It is time for Bulgaria to become Russia’s partner in formation of powerful energy complex

I am proud to hear that almost ten contracts have been signed during the visit of the Russian President to Bulgaria.

It is time for Bulgaria to become Russia’s partner in the formation of a powerful energy complex. The contract for the construction of Belene NPP marks the beginning of the era of Russian nuclear technologies on the European market.

A year ago the President of Russia instructed the Government and Rosatom to start large-scale construction of nuclear power plants and active promotion of Russian nuclear technologies on the European and Middle Asian markets. The conclusion of the contract has confirmed that we are moving in the right direction. We have done really much in the past year. I am happy that Atomstroyexport has won the right to build Belene NPP: it is a very serious project and it will pave the way for our technologies into the world market.

The victory of Atomstroyexport is especially important as, together with Areva and Siemens, it beat Skoda Alliance and Westinghouse. This victory has proved once again that we can successfully compete on the market.

The NPP-92 project (to be applied at Belene NPP) has been granted EUR certificate and meets all European standards. The contract between Atomstroyexport and the National Electric Company of Bulgaria has been approved by the Directorate General for Energy and Transport of the European Commission. All this has proved that our nuclear power plants are safe and comply with all European and IAEA standards.

So, today, Russia is celebrating one more victory, while Bulgaria is solving its energy problems. Belene NPP will certainly join the energy system of Europe and will become an additional source of energy for the region. So, the contract signed by Russia and Bulgaria today is very important.