Government grants derogation for Belene NPP equipment preservation contract

The Council of Ministers approved a derogation from the restrictive measures imposed in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, the government’s press service said.

The derogation allows the National Electric Company to launch a public procurement procedure and conclude a contract with the Bulgarian branch of Atomstroyexport for technical supervision of the re-preservation of equipment supplied for Units 1 and 2 of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant. The derogation is necessary because the equipment manufacturers have granted the company exclusive rights to provide technical supervision of these activities.

Re-preservation activities are currently being carried out at the Belene NPP site to ensure that the equipment remains in the condition required by the manufacturer.

The existing contract for technical supervision of the re-preservation of long-lead-time equipment is valid until December 31, 2026, while the new contract will be concluded in accordance with Bulgaria’s Public Procurement Act.

Edited by Diana Tsankova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov