In April, 2009 in Bulgaria Atomstroyexport JSC (ASE) and AREVA NP, the assignee of consortium CARSIB, signed the contract for/on continuation of works on the development of documentation under Monitoring systems of management of normal operation and safety, electrical systems and ventilation and air-conditioning systems, that are important (elements) for safety of NPP "Belene" for a planned period of the years 2009 and 2010.
This contract represents an important strategic step for the realization of the construction of NPP "Belene" project in Bulgaria. Under this contract the development of detailed project based on the specified systems is planned that, in the conditions of absence of the general contact and unsigned additions № 6 and 7 will allow not to freeze up the project and will provide the development of detailed design of the whole NPP in association with Open Joint Stock Company Atomenergoproekt (the general designer).
The company AREVA NP is one of the basic participants of the project. Its share, together with the company Siemens (the subcontractor), amounts to about 20 % of volume of works on design and supply of NPP equipment to the site of Belene NPP. The contract concluded with this company will allow accelerating of the subscription of the general contract with the Customer (NEK EAD) that in its turn will minimize the possibility of shutdown for project organizations, uncertainty of terms of performance time and prospects on the future.
This contract solves also strategic problems on the realization of Belene NPP project, becoming the confidence`s indemnitor (guarantor) to the partners and reliance on the further realization of the project.
Background
In 2005 a tender for the construction of Belene NPP, which was won by the Russian company Atomstroyexport, was announced. On January 18, 2008 the signing of the Contract Agreement between Atomstroyexport JSC and the National Electric Company on the Belene NPP construction took place in the presence of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the President of Bulgaria, Georgy Parvanov. The cost of the works under the contract amounts to about 4 billion Euros.
Belene NPP is a Russian-European project, in which Atomstroyexport is participating together with AREVA NP and Siemens. In 2007 the Russian design "AES-92" used for Belene NPP was recognized as complying with all the EUR technical requirements to new generation light water reactors. Certification of the design once more demonstrated a high level of reliability and safety of the future Belene NPP.
The site of Belene NPP was officially opened on September 3, 2008.
Atomstroyexport JSC (JSC ASE) is the leading state engineering company subordinated to the State Corporation Rosatom implementing intergovernmental agreements on constructing nuclear facilities abroad. Currently Atomstroyexport is implementing orders, which make over 20% of the world market volume, and is the only company performing contracts in four countries simultaneously: in China, India, Iran and Bulgaria. Atomstroyexport is supported by the half-century experience of Russian atomic industry and constructs NPPs of new generation compliant with international requirements and IAEA recommendations.
SOURCE: JSC Atomenergoprom
DATE: April 29, 2009
Topics: NPP, NPP Belene, Atomstroyexport, AREVA