June 18, 2020 – Framatome signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rosatom State Corporation under the procedure of selecting a strategic investor for the Belene Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria.
Kirill Komarov, first deputy director general of Corporate Development and International Business of Rosatom, and Frédéric Lelièvre, senior executive vice president of Sales, Regional Platforms and Instrumentation and Control of Framatome, recently signed the MOU.
“The Framatome team brings decades of global expertise in instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, as well as nuclear plant design, services, and component and fuel manufacturing,” said Lelièvre. “It is an honor to partner with Rosatom State Corporation to support the construction of the Belene NPP, an important project that will provide clean and reliable electricity.”
In accordance with the MOU, the companies will work together to support Rosatom’s participation in the tender for the construction of the Belene NPP. If Rosatom State Corporation becomes a strategic investor in the project through a competitive process, Framatome will be the key partner in providing the Automated Process Control Systems (APCS), electrical systems, hydrogen recombiners, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning for the plant.
“The signed MOUs underline a continuing high level of trust between our companies,” said Komarov. “I am sure that international cooperation with the nuclear industry leaders will help to create the best financial and technical conditions for the implementation of the Belene NPP."
Rosatom has already successfully collaborated with Framatome on international projects, including the PAKS – 2 NPP in Hungary and the Hanhikivi – 1 NPP in Finland.
For reference:
The announcement of the procedure for selecting a strategic investor for the Belene NPP was published on May 22, 2019, in the Official Journal of the European Union. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tender deadline was postponed by the Bulgarian side. The participation of Rosatom State Corporation in the procedure for selecting a strategic investor for the Belene NPP is provided by Rosatom Overseas JSC (part of the Rosatom State Corporation).
The completion of the Belene NPP construction will allow Bulgaria to supply enterprises and the population with clean and affordable electricity, as well as reduce the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels.