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Bulgaria: country seeks strategic investor for NPP Belene

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 23 MAG - Bulgaria has formally invited potential strategic investors to show interested in participating in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Belene, suspended in 2013 and revived last year by the Bulgarian government, Radio Bulgaria reported. The Bulgarian energy ministry said it is inviting potential strategic investors to show interest in taking part in the construction of Belene in the next 90 days, the specialized portal SeeNews informed, adding that candidates can be Bulgarian or foreign companies and consortiums. The 90-day term has started with the publication of the invitation in the Official Journal of the European Union on May 22, SeeNews clarified. The selection should be completed within one year. Radio Bulgaria added that obligatory terms for the selection of the strategic investor have also been set. In particular, "no contract for purchase of electricity with state guarantee or other non-market mechanisms to guarantee the investments will be signed," Radio Bulgaria underlined. Among the conditions, Bulgaria decided that the project of the nuclear power plant should be completed within ten years and the price of the investment cannot exceed 10 billion euros. According to the call for expression of interest, the Belene NPP will be owned "by a newly created project company", in which Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD (NEK) will be a shareholder. (ANSA).