Five companies bid to build new nuclear plant

Feb 02, 2010
TBT Staff

New new power plant will replace the outdated plant at Ignalina, which was shut down at the start of the year over safety concerns voiced by the EU.

VILNIUS - The Lithuanian government has announced that it selected five companies that will make bids to build the country's new nuclear power plant.

The new power plant will see cooperation among the three Baltic States to build a new nuclear plant to replace the one at Ignalina that was shut down this year in line with EU mandates.The EU had been concerned about the safety of the Chernobyl-style plant.

The project has met with controversy as the three Baltic States and Poland bicker about how much power each country will be allocated. Plans for construction have been significantly delayed by the controversy.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokastold journalists Monday that there were now 5 companies in the running to construct the new plant.

A total of 25 companies had initially shown an interest in taking the project on.

"By mid-summer, there should be two potential nuclear plant investors left," Sekmokas said.

The winning bidder will have to fund most of the project, which is estimated to cost about 5 billion euros, but will receive a 51 percent share in the plant once construction is completed.

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