The infrastructure of the Belene nuclear power plant (NPP) project is in poor conditions.

People living in the nearby villages alarmed authorities of the poor state, Novinar newspaper reported.

According to people living in the town of Belene and in the villages nearby, the Pleven regional authorities were not planning to repair roads leading to the construction site.

National Electric Company (NEC), one of the investors in the project, is obliged to take care of the construction site, as well as of the labourers who are to work on the project.

NEC received the responsibilities after signing an agreement with the project executor, Russia’s Atomstroyexport.

In 2007 nearly 100 people will work on the project. Their number is expected to reach 5000 soon, Novinar reported.

Atomstroyexport already asked the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce if Bulgaria could provide some of the needed specialists to work on the project.

NEC sent workgroups to examine and research part of the equipment to be used in the power plant.

In the final quarter of 2007 Atomstroyexport is expected to sign an agreement and approve the concept project including details on the execution of the power plant construction.

By March the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA) will issue permit enabling Atomstroyexport to start working on the project plans.