Macedonia Wants Share in NPP Belene

Reportedly, Skopje has been probing for opportunities to get a minority stake in Bulgaria's NPP Belene. Macedonia is the second Balkan country to show interest in the project after Serbia, but it has not announced its intentions, yet. A few countries in the Balkan region have shown interest in the construction of Bulgaria's second nuclear power plant. It's good if our neighbors join in, as they will provide part of the funds necessary to build the plan, as well as potential markets for the electricity that it will generate," MPs told the Standart. 

On Friday Serbia's President Boris Tadic arrives on an official visit to Bulgaria. One of the main topics he will discuss with his Bulgarian counterpart, Boyko Borissov will be Belgrade's possible participation in Belene project. Serbia's possible participation as an investor in the project has been rumoured for about two months. Such an option has been defined as very beneficial for the Serbian side by both politicians and scientists because it would provide Serbia with electricity for dozens of years ahead purchased from an EU member state.

Meanwhile Bulgaria's Minister of Energy and Economy, Traycho Traykov stated there was not a hundred percent certainty on Belene NPP construction being carried out. If the project is abandoned, Bulgaria will avail of the opportunity to build new units in Kozloduy NPP.