The Governments of Romania and Bulgaria will sign a Memorandum in September, 2011, to prepare a joint implementation of two hydro-energy projects on the Danube, the river which separates the two countries, according to the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, quoted by Sofia News Agency.

Bulgaria's Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism Traicho Traikov met his Romanian counterpart Ion Ariton on Monday in Bucharest. They have discussed about this project, which is said to harbor great economic potential, according to Sofia News Agency.

When constructed, these hydro power facilities "will produce a total of over 3 800 GW/h of electricity per year, will improve the transport connections, and the bilateral trade", according to the Bulgarian Economy Ministry.

Bulgaria and Romania have been planning for a long time these two hydro-energy plants, as well as building more Danube bridges in addition to the existing Danube Bridge 1 at Ruse-Giurgiu and Danube Bridge 2 at Vidin-Calafat, which is still under construction.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)