The Russian group Atomstroyexport, with Gazprom as majority shareholder, won the bid on the construction of a nuclear plant near the Danube, in the Bulgarian town of Belene.

The works will take some seven years and cost over 4 billion euros. Along with Atomstroyexport, the project also involves the French Areva and German Siemens. Atomstroyexport also built the existing Kozlodui plant and many of the nuclear plants in the former Socialist region.

The Belene plant will have a 2,000 MW estimated power and is due to support Bulgaria’s export capacity, by replacing the former Kozlodui plant, on the verge of being closed.