There is a strong interest in the Belene NPP construction project and the candidates are expected to submit bids by the middle of the month, former NEK Executive Director, Peter Iliev, said.

“Serious bids are expected from China and Russia. These are the biggest candidates. I can’t tell anything for the US, they’re still looking around. From my informal conversations I am aware that they have a great desire,” Iliev explained, according to Novinite.com.

Regarding the intention of General Electric to participate in the race for the second NPP in Bulgaria, Iliev suggests that they will “play” together with the Russian “Rosatom”.

“At the moment, as far as I know, intensified negotiations are under way within the consortia, because even Rosatom, even the Chinese, are not in a position of their own, and you know that the conditions of the competition are to have Rosatom equipment,” Iliev recalled, quoted by BGNES.