The Nuclear Plants Authority will negotiate on Monday with Bechtel the reduction of its LE 1 billion consultation fees before signing the contract. Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr. Hassan Younis said the rules discard offers from consulting firms that have legal and financial relations with nuclear plant suppliers.
He said that Bechtel gave the best technical and least costly offer for the first Egyptian nuclear power plant, and that their LE 1 billion bid is to be paid over ten years. Sources said the negotiations that will take 7-1o days would be over legal requirements, penalty clauses, payment facilities and the reduction of the total amount. It should be noted that the scope of the consultancy includes assessing available nuclear plant technology worldwide, choosing new locations for more plants, assuring quality, devising training programs and supervising the construction as well as the test start-ups. The consultant's work will end with the start of the commercial operation of the plant.
