STATE-run Oman Oil has expressed interest in investing in a $5.2-bn nuclear power plant in Bulgaria and in a trans-Balkan oil pipeline, the Bulgarian energy ministry said recently. During a visit of Energy Minister Rumen Ovcharov to Oman, the company said it was ready to take part as a strategic investor in a 2,000-MW nuclear plant in the Danube river town of Belene, the energy ministry said. Oman Oil also said it was ready to invest in the $1-billion trans-Balkan oil pipeline that would carry Urals and Caspian crude from Bulgaria’s Burgas to the Greek port of Alexandroupolis. Bulgaria, Greece, and Russia are due to sign a draft agreement on construction of the pipeline shortly.
Bulgaria’s second nuclear plant at Belene will enable it keep its position as one of the main power exporters in SE Europe after the closure of two 440-MW units at the Kozloduy nuclear plant.