Russia says Bulgaria scrapped Belene plant for political reasons

Bulgaria’s decision to abandon the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project was political and not due to technical or economical reasons, according to Sergey Kiriyenko, head of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom energy company.

“We were ready to carry out the contract’s requirements; we were ready to hear the Bulgarian government’s decision. Most of Belene’s equipment is ready now, the rest is being worked on. Contracts have been signed with the plants,” Kiriyenko has commented.

He said that Bulgaria will either have to pay approximately EUR 1 B for the nuclear equipment or terminate the contract and pay compensations.