Title: Completion of Belene Nuclear Power Plant: project perspectives

Authors: Dimitar Bogdanov

Addresses: Risk Engineering Ltd., CREFID, 34 Totleben Blvd., Sofia 1606, Bulgaria

Abstract: The development of Belene NPP began with site selection in the 1970s, site characterisation in 1980–1981, and a decision to proceed in 1981. Construction was suspended for financial reasons in 1991. Now the state authorities have taken steps to continue the project. Despite the lengthy study period and the subsequent legislative changes, the evaluations indicate that Belene is a suitable NPP site. Studies of the Belene site have been completed and the conclusion is that the site is suitable and eligible for licensing for the construction of a NPP. In order to estimate the different options for completion of the project, different aspects of the plant were estimated. The information for different reactors was analysed, and quantitative assessment was performed by ranking the proposed facilities in different aspects of rated power, technology, safety, operation, licenseability (compliance to local regulations), etc.

Keywords: nuclear power plants; NPP construction; site selection; economic analysis; environment; facilities ranking; variants evaluation; technical aspects; ownership structure; nuclear energy; Bulgaria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNGEE.2006.008704

International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology, 2006 Vol.1 No.1, pp.63 - 81

Published online: 17 Jan 2006 *

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