Five companies placed indicative bids to play a strategic role in the Belene nuclear power plant
project, said the main investor National Electric Company (NEK), cited by BTA.

These are Electrabel, CEZ, E.ON AG, ENEL and RWE AG.

All companies were divided into two groups. The first group comprises those willing to acquire directly or through a consortium a stake of up to 49 per cent in a planned joint venture with NEK for the plant's construction and operation. These are CEZ, Electricite de France, E.ON, Electrabel, ENEL and RWE.

The second group consists of companies willing to acquire directly or through a consortium stakes of 25 per cent or less in the joint venture with NEK for the plant's construction and operation. These are Endesa, EGL, Cumerio Med and ATEL.

The first group of companies, designated as Shortlist A, were sent a Confidentiality Agreement to sign, followed by an Information memorandum on the Belene plant construction project. They were given the opportunity to conduct technical and economic analysis of the project and to file indicative bids as a basis for negotiations with NEK.