China's
state-owned nuclear company is eyeing the Belene nuclear power plant project in
Bulgaria, the government in Sofia has said.
In a statement to the media, the cabinet's press office shows images of a
meeting of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and other officials with
representatives of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in Sofia.
The Chinese representatives, whose names are not included, are reported as
saying their company stands "ready" to carry out the projects under
the conditions offered by the government.
The meeting was held at the CNNC's initiative, according to the statement.
Alongside Borisov, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova and Deputy Prime Minister
Tomislav Donchev, who oversees economic development, also took part in the
talks.
"During the meeting, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov explained that the Belene
project may be carried out on a market basis, with no state investment and no
long-term electricity purchase contracts," the statement also says.
Bulgaria is yet to pay hundreds of millions of EUR to Russian Atomstroyexport
company this month over the abandoned Belene NPP project. After the delivering
the sum, it will receive the equipment manufactured before Belene was ditched
by Borisov's previous government.
The CNNC does not rank as a government administrative body, even though its
head is appointed by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.
(www.novinite.com, December 5, 2016)