Bulgaria shortlists six companies for nuclear plant partnership

The Czech energy giant CEZ is among six companies shortlisted by Bulgaria's National Electricity Company as potential strategic equity investors to help build and run a new nuclear power plant at Belene in the north of the country. Besides CEZ, the companies shortlisted are France's EDF, E.ON of Germany, Electrabel of Belgium, Italy's ENEL of Italy and RWE of Germany. The companies have until October 1st to make formal offers. Potential investors will receive up to 49 percent of the share capital in the public-private Belene Power Company, which will finance construction and operate the new plant. The Bulgarian state plans to keep a 51-percent share in the future company.