site.btaLeft Parties Propose Belene N-Plant Project to Be Auctioned, Energy Ministry Does Not Rule Out Any Option

Left Parties Propose Belene N-Plant Project to Be Auctioned, Energy Ministry Does Not Rule Out Any Option

Sofia, July 10 (BTA) - At a joint news conference with the Gergyovden movement hosted by the BTA Press Club on Sunday, ABV Deputy Chair Roumen Petkov said that following the decision of the International Court of Arbitration in Paris on the Belene N-plant project, the State should either start as quickly as possible to construct the plant, or auction the site and the project. This will show clearly whether there is interest in the project and whether it is economically advantageous, and it will allow the procedure for the plant's construction to start, he noted. Later in the day, Energy Minister Temenouzka Petkova gave an extraordinary briefing prompted by the two Left-wing parties' news conference, where she said that the Energy Ministry is analysing all options for the Belene N-plant project and none is being ruled out. "We want to take the best decision through consensus with all parliamentary represented parties," she underscored.

In mid-June, the International Court of Arbitration ordered Bulgaria's National Electricity Company (NEK) to pay Russia's Atomstroyexport 550 million euro for the equipment produced for the Belene N-plant project before it was scrapped by the Bulgarian government.

Commenting on the arbitration court's decision, Petkov told the news conference that the sum to be paid is not 550 million euro but actually over 800 million euro, because there are: around 70 million euro for expenses on the lawyers bureau and the related actions of the Energy Ministry; 70 million euro for the court's refusal to recognize NEK's claim; 90 million euro for the advance payment and expenses made thus far; and 167,000 euro per every day since the decision's handing to Bulgaria. This sum does not include the taxes for responsible keeping of the equipment produced, Petkov specified.

Reacting to this statement, Petkova said at the extraordinary briefing that the sum recognized and ordered by the arbitration court is 553,546,000 euro, and that she holds no information on a sum exceeding 800 million euro. The legal bureau representing NEK was determined by the Finance Ministry, which carried out the procedure representation of the Bulgarian side, Petkova noted. The amount of the lawyers' fees was calculated on the basis of the hourly rate set in the framework agreement between the Finance Ministry and the bureau, she added. From a legal point of view, NEK was properly defended in this arbitration case, Petkova said.

Referring to this week's Wikileaks cable on the Belene N-plant, Petkov said it confirms the words of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov from a year ago that Bulgaria stopped the Russian energy projects in the country on the US' request. Unfortunately, the United States did nothing afterwards, Petkov added. "Let us now put up the project for sale without limitations. If the US' Westinghouse want it, they are welcome, if Atomstroyexport can - it is welcome, if Brussels can with Siemens - it is welcome," Petkov added.

Commenting on his words, Minister Petkova said: "It is not right to go back [in time] and seek who stopped the project, why he stopped it, who is responsible, and what the issue is about. I want all political forces who have an expert opinion in this sphere to join our efforts and find a reasonable and pragmatic solution for exiting this situation."

The Gergyovden movement and ABV also noted the lack of replies on the part of the Energy Ministry on questions the two formations have raised regarding the Access to Public Information Act. One of the questions which has remained unanswered is, for example, whether an agreement has been concluded between the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Westinghouse, Petkov said.

In turn, Gergyovden Chairman Dragomir Stefanov said that his formation has not received a written explanation from the Energy Ministry regarding a delegation led by Stefan Gamizov to the Toshiba plant in Tokyo. In her official reply, the Energy Minister said that Gamizov had not been sent by the Bulgarian side but had attended the visit in his capacity as CEO of a private company. In this case, does Gamizov continue to be an advisor to the parliamentary Energy Committee and isn't this a conflict of interest, Stefanov asked.

Commenting on this statement, Minister Petkova told journalists that four requests for access to public information were submitted in June but that replying to these requires the use of information from third parties: NEK and the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH). The Energy Ministry has already requested this information, and that is why the term for replying to the four requests has been extended, Petkova underscored. She also said that the visit of BEH and NEK representatives to Japan had taken place at the Toshiba company's invitation and no deals had been made there.

Approached for a comment later on Sunday, Prime Minister Borissov told journalists in Sofia that the Government is working on at least three options for the Belene N-plant project: to sell the equipment, to sell the project and to build the plant. A decision will be taken within weeks, he added.

In his words, talks are being held with the Russian side by the Energy Ministry and at various levels. "Now in Iran we will hear whether they are interested in us selling the reactor there together with the Russian side," he added, referring to his forthcoming visit to Iran.

If these options fail, Borissov will propose to the National Assembly that the money Bulgaria was ordered to pay to Atomstroyexport be included in the new national budget together with all interests incurred per day, or that the moratorium on the project be lifted and money be sought for the N-plant's construction.