Prethodna socijalistička vlada u Bugarskoj ugovorno je angažirala ruski Atomstroyexport za izgradnju pogona u Belenu od 2.000MW, a onda je i potpisala sporazum o njoj tokom posjete Sofiji bivšeg ruskog predsjednika Vladimira Putina u januaru 2008.
Bulgaria's previous socialist government contracted Russia's Atomstroyexport to build the 2,000MW Belene plant, and then signed an agreement on it during former Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Sofia in January 2008.