The Upper Arda hydroelectricity project is important for Bulgaria and will be
built, Regional Development Minister Asen Gagauzov said on Thursday, BTA is reporting.

Since the National Electricity Company (NEC) and Turkey's Ceylan Holding have already invested so much in the project, it is natural for it to be completed - however, at this juncture, the Government would prefer for the project to be put up for auction, rather than being awarded to Ceylan outright, he said.

Deputy Minister Yordan Dimov said that Prime Minister Stanishev had insisted that Ceylan's ongoing judicial case with the NEC be terminated during Turkish President Erdogan's recent visit, and that the contract between the two be renegotiated. Due to unachievable export requirements, Bulgaria needs extra generating capacity, he said.

Dimov added that adequate infrastructure will be built in the area of the Upper Arda, which will improve quality of life in the region.

Photo: BGNES