21.02.2007 // Press service of Rosenergoatom

Russian and Bulgarian nuclear power engineers have agreed on the supplies of the unused Belene-1 equipment for the 4th unit of Kalinin NPP

On Feb 14–16 a delegation of Rosenergoatom and Atomstroyexport visited the construction site of Belene NPP (Bulgaria).

The sides negotiated the cooperation prospects. Particularly, the Russian side is ready to buy the equipment the plant will not need and to use it at the 4th unit of Kalinin NPP.

To remind, last year Atomstroyexport won a tender for building the 1st Russian-type nuclear power unit in Bulgaria.

Director General of Rosenergoatom Sergey Obozov comments on the visit:

— It was the first visit on such a serious level. Director General of Atomstroyexport Sergey Shmatko and I have met with the management of the National Energy Company of Bulgaria, have visited the Belene-1 site and have negotiated the purchase of equipment for the 4th unit of Kalnin NPP.

Not everything we saw was good. We regretted to see that the 1st unit of Belene NPP, which is already 13 meters high and is 10%-15 ready (just like Kalinin-4) will be “cut down” to the level of 4.2 meters. We will have to pull down the iron framework of the machine room and even redo the pile field. This is the price we are paying for rejecting the 320th design. 

The rest was much better. They have 17,000 tons of perfect equipment on the site, for example, the reactor vessel. We were glad to know that they have a contract with Czech specialists and carry out preventive measures each year. Everything is under canvas in an iron module. The same is for steam generators and all the other equipment.

Before our visit a special committee had considered the possibility of integration of this equipment into the unit Atomstroyexport will be at Belene.

During the visit we understood that 95% of the equipment will not be integrated and we discussed the possibility of their timely delivery to KNPP so we could avoid building big depots there. Our specialists could transport the equipment gradually on an as-needed basis. And, of course, we will pay for it.

I have instructed relevant authorities to consider purchase schemes and to draft contractual documentation.

This is the first time Rosenergoato and Atomstroyexport are carrying out such a complex joint project. I am glad that all problems arising before, during and after the visit were immediately resolved. Not just Atomstroyexport but the whole Russia has won in Bulgaria and we will be at their side.