The construction of the Belene nuclear power plant in Belene, a town in north-western Bulgaria, could start as early as 2009.

Bulgarian National Radio quoted Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA) head Sergei Tsochev as saying that NRA expected to receive the commission by the end of 2007.

The NRA will use international expert aid to evaluate the project, and will have nine months to approve it.  

The first electricity production unit will start functioning 6.5 years after the beginning of its construction.

The second will start one year later.

Borislav Srtanimirov, deputy NRA chair said that the seismic characteristics of Belene are absolutely favourable for a nuclear power plant.

Each of the NPP units will be licensed separately.