4 Feb (NucNet): International arbitration on the suspended Belene nuclear power station project in Bulgaria is expected to be completed within “up to four months”, deputy prime minister for EU funds and economic policies Tomislav Donchev was quoted by local media as saying.
The Belene project consists of two Russian VVER-1000 pressurised water reactors, but it was suspended in June 2010 because of uncertainties about its financial viability.
Russian nuclear vendor Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has lodged a compensation claim of roughly €1bn ($1.12bn) against Bulgaria with the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.
Since 2011 Atomstroyexport has been demanding Bulgaria pay compensation for the cancellation of the Belene contract.
The Bulgarian nuclear industry group Bulatom told NucNet information on the case is limited. The decision and its timeliness will depend solely on the Court of Arbitration, Bulatom said.
