The construction of Bulgaria's nuclear power plant in Belene would cost no less than EUR 12 B, according to a famous Russian nuclear energy expert.

Bulat Nigmatulin, who also served as Russia's former Deputy-Minister of nuclear energy, made the statement earlier this week at the sitting of the ad-hoc parliamentary committee, set up to verify the data, facts and decision circumstances and activities under Belene NPP project since 2002 till the end of March 2012. Nigmatulin did not hide he was at a loss why Bulgarians are still standing behind Belene project, provided that its cost will push electricity prices up to 14 euro cents, making exports unprofitable, Novinite reports.