UPDATE 1-Czech CEZ submits offer for Bulgarian N-plant

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Czech power firm CEZ , the largest listed company in central Europe, submitted an indicative offer for a 49 percent stake in a planned 2,000 megawatt nuclear power plant in Bulgaria on Wednesday.

Bulgaria has shortlisted six west European utilities for the venture at the Danube town of Belene, estimated to cost more than 5.0 billion euros ($7.1 billion). The deadline for filing indicative bids expires on Wednesday.

"CEZ submitted today an indicative offer in a tender for a strategic partner for construction and operation of the planned nuclear power plant in Belene," CEZ said in a statement. "Conditions of the offer will not be published."

Italy's Enel , Germany's E.ON and RWE , France's EdF and Belgium's Electrabel, part of French utility Suez , were also invited to bid for the minority stake.

Bulgarian state power monopoly NETC will keep 51 percent in the new plant, which aims to make up for the closure of four ageing nuclear reactors and restore the Balkan state's position as a leading power exporter in south-east Europe.

NETC has said it plans to pick a strategic partner for the deal by the end of the year or early 2008 after holding talks with the bidders, based on the offered price, the financing and management involvement.

Last year, Bulgaria signed up Russia's Atomstroyexport, controlled by gas giant Gazprom , to start building the two 1,000 megawatt reactors in 2008. The plant is expected to become operational in 2014.

[PRAGUE/Reuters/Finance.cz]