Hidroelectrica could resort to the signing of advantageous contracts with Bulgaria to ensure the peak consumption.
Bulgaria has started, yesterday, the constructions at the nuclear plant from Belene, estimated to last six years. Built by the Russians from Atomstroiexport, under a contract signed with Vladimir Putin last winter, the two reactors will have a power of 1,000 MW each. The Bulgarian officials see in this project the key of the country's energy independence.
"The Belene plant will not solve the problem of shortage of electricity in the region, but is necessary if the demand for energy grows by an alarming rate", said Jean-Constantinescu, an expert in energy. Advantage for hydro plants
The project will provide Hidroelectrica an opportunity to sign advantageous contracts with Bulgaria, in providing adjustments. "A nuclear plant operates non-stop, so it does not cover consumption peaks. Those will be supported by Romania's hydro units", said Constantinescu.
Meanwhile, the new plant will mean an extra competitor for the production of electricity from Romania, which will be harmful for the thermoelectric sector. "How nuclear power is one of the cheapest, the price of electricity in the region will decrease, which will make the Romanian thermo plants, which are inefficient and have high production costs, vulnerable. Meanwhile, it will be more profitable for suppliers to import energy from Bulgaria", added the expert. Russian Technology
The project from Belene received the notice of the European Union last year, despite the protests of the ecologists and studies on the high seismic risk of the zone. The plant will be located in the Perşina Natural Park, on the banks of the Danube, at 13 km from Zimnicea.
The project provides the construction of two VVER reactors of Russian design, technology used in Chernobyl. According to a report of the ecological association "Terra Millennium III", the nuclear plant will pollute the river with the evacuation of water-cooled reactors, affecting the flora and fauna. Although it has not contested the project, the Ministry of Environment of Romania has highlighted the problems with the quality of documentation on environmental impact assessment.
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