Construction of the plant's two reactors, being undertaken by Russian atomic energy specialist Atomstroiexport, will not begin until next year, but Stanishev oversaw the first holes being dug in a largely symbolic ceremony.

"Nuclear energy and the development of Belene will guarantee the country's autonomy in terms of energy supplies," Stanishev said in a speech as bulldozers began their work.

The power plant was "Bulgaria's biggest industrial project in 18 years which will provide impetus to the economy and contribute to our country's competitiveness" in the energy sector, Stanishev said.

Contruction of the first 1,000-megawatt reactors is expected to start in March 2009 and be completed in December 2013, while work on the second reactor was to be launched in March 2010, making it operational in June 2014.

The plant will be Bulgaria's second nuclear facility and Atomstroiexport's first ever project in an EU country. France's Areva and Germany's Siemens are subcontractors.

"A unique project, Belene will be the most reliable, safe and efficient power plant," Atomstroiexport President Leonid Reznikov said at the ceremony Wednesday.

Bulgaria renewed plans in 2005 to build the long-stalled plant to compensate for an expected downturn in its energy exports after the closure in late 2006 of four out of six operational reactors at its Kozloduy plant.

The country closed down the reactors as part of its accession to the European Union on January 1, 2007.

By end-September, Bulgaria's state-owned National Electricity Company (NEC) will pick a strategic partner to take over a 49-percent stake in the Belene project.

NEC has already shortlisted German power giant RWE and Belgian utility company Electrabel in March among six companies interested in acquiring a minority stake in the group.

The other 51 percent will be held by the state.

The contract for the construction of Belene was signed during a visit to Bulgaria by the then Russian President Vladimir Putin at the beginning of this year.

Sofia and Moscow also signed deals regarding Bulgaria's participation in the South Stream gas pipeline project, and the Burgas-Alexandrupolis oil pipeline project from the Black Sea to the Aegean.

"With these projects, Bulgaria is embarking on an extraordinary expansion of its energy policy, which will transform it into one of the biggest players in Europe and in the region," said Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov on Wednesday.

Formerly one of the Balkans' main energy exporters, supplying 7.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity abroad in 2006, Bulgaria's exports fell to 4.5 million kilowatt-hours last year.

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