ESB International has signed a €1.2 million contract to provide technical assistance to NEK, the Bulgarian state-owned electricity utility.

The contract involves the provision of expert technical and engineering advice to NEK for the procurement and installation of high-voltage transmission equipment for sub-station rehabilitation and ancillary business systems.

The project is being funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

A high-level delegation from NEK attended the ESB International offices in Dublin for the signing,

The contract will be completed in December 2005 and ESB International will have a resident project manager in Sofia for the duration of the work.