Romanian electricity grid operator Transelectrica and Nuclearelectrica, the state-owned operator of nuclear power plant Cernavoda, will split 50% of costs for a EUR 1,5 million feasibility study for construction of a 600 MW subsea cable connecting Romania with Turkey, a Transelectrica spokesman confirmed Thursday (13th September). The remaining half of the sum should come from a grant provided by the Swedish government, Purdila said, adding that Transelectrica is now preparing an application aiming to secure the money by the end of 2007. Swedish companies will then participate in engineering the dual-direction cable under the Black Sea. The spokesman did not disclose which companies are candidates for the project, saying they would be chosen in a tender open exclusively to Swedish firms. Turkish TSO Teias will act as a technical consultant in the project. The spokesman said the partners will hold a tender next year to choose a private investor to finance the construction estimated to be worth EUR 400-500 million. Cernavoda currently operates two reactors accounting for more than 17% of the country’s electricity consumption. The company is involved in negotiations with 12 potential investors for building units 3 and 4, scheduled to be up and running by 2014. Romania is a net exporter of electricity but national consumption is growing as well as the demand in the neighbouring region, triggered by the recent closure of two units of Bulgaria’s sole nuclear power plant Kozloduy. (THE HEREN REPORTS - EDEM 11178 / 13 September 2007) |