The beginning of construction

The discussions on constructing a second nuclear power plant started in the early 1970’s. After performing the necessary investigations, studies and analyses, the Belene site was approved by the Bulgarian Government in 1981 for the construction of a second nuclear power plant on the Danube River. The construction of the NPP started the same year and was suspended in 1990 due to financial difficulties. Since then, measures have been continuously undertaken to preserve the supplied equipment, the construction site and the buildings. Various investigations and assessments have been carried out with respect to the site suitability and the equipment status, all of which yielded positive conclusions. New investigations have been performed in relation to site safety and its compliance with international requirements. A number of missions were carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other bodies of authority. All these came up with positive conclusions and confirmations that the Belene site is suitable for the construction of new nuclear power plant.

Recommencement

In 2002 Bulgarian Government took the decision for preliminary researches and two years later the Council of Ministers decided to recommence the Belene NPP project. After all the legislative requirements had been fulfilled, on April 8, 2005 the Government enacted the official Decision for the erection of a new nuclear power plant on the Belene site with total rated electric capacity of 2000 MWe.
Pursuant to the above-mentioned decision, on May 10, 2005, the National Electric Company (NEK) launched a procedure for selection of a Contractor for the engineering, procurement, and commissioning of Belene Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1&2. On October 30, 2006 Russian company Atomstroyexport was chosen as a main contractor and Areva NP / Siemens was chosen as a main foreign subcontractor. The rest of the subcontractors (30%) will be Bulgarian companies. An Agreement with the Contractor was signed on November 29, 2006. The EPC contract was signed on January 18, 2008.

Technology

The suggested type of reactor for BNPP is the so called А-92, which is a variant of the new generation WWER reactors. This type of design is in full compliance with all the international safety criteria and requirements. Its reliability was confirmed by Russian respective authorities, IAEA, the international consultative group on safety INSAG as well as by the special analysis of a group of specialists from EDF (France) in line with the basic requirements in Europe.

Atomstroyexport’s offer envisages a completion of the construction of the two reactors which started back in 1980s but this construction will be finished in accordance with the new A92 design. The construction works will be performed on the existing site, using all previously performed works - its building up, levelling and preparation. The design allows for the direct use of the previously erected civil structures and facilities. Civil structures which haven’t been completed.

Participants

          • Employer – National Electric Company (NEK)
          • Main Contractor – Atomstroyexport
          • Main Subcontractor – Areva/Siemens 
          • Subcontractors - 30% Bulgarian Companies 
          • Strategic Partner – has not been determined yet
          • Consultants – Deloitte, WorleyParsons

Deadline 

It is planned that the construction period should last 59 months. According to the schedule the construction of the first unit will take 6,5 years. For the second unit the planned construction period is 7,5 years, considering the time needed for the specific licensing procedures under the Bulgarian legislation. The design and procurement processes will take much of the planned time (58 months) and construction and installation (51 months).

Technical Data

          • Type of reactor- PWR
          • Number of reactors - 2
          • Thermal power - 3012 MW
          • Electric output -1060 MW 
          • Net efficiency - 35 %
          • Capacity factor -90 %
          • Operation lifetime – 60 years