Brussels finally green-lighted the Belene nuclear power plant (NPP), this was reported by EP Russia, Bulgarian daily Monitor said.

According to the Russian publication, the European Commission (EC) had approved the project as well as the Russian technology for the construction of the nuclear power plant. After thorough consideration, the EC was said to have come to the conclusion that the preliminary contract with Atomstroieksport from late 2006, was not in conflict with agreements on European nuclear energy politics and the project could be realised.

Representatives of the National Electricity Company (NEC), who was a majority shareholder in Belene NPP, were not available for comments, Monitor said.

The EC did not confirm information. Permission for the Belene NPP project would be a precedent for the use of Russian nuclear technology, which other countries have also shown interest in, experts said. Which was why the EC would thoroughly consider all aspects, before giving its approval.

Monitor daily quoted sources familiar with the case as saying that the Russian publication might be an attempt to force a decision by the EC.

On December 6, Russian media said the main contracts for the construction of the Belene NPP would be signed within days by a representative of NEC and the Russian constructor Atomstroieksport.

According to Monitor daily, the contract would specify when and under what conditions, the price for the construction of the plant could be increased. The Russian offer was selected over the proposal from Czech Skoda Aliance. Atomstroieksport said it would construct the two blocks for close to four billion euro. The central was scheduled to start production in 2014.