site.btaUPDATED Energy Minister Launches Expansion of Aboveground Part of Chiren Gas Storage

Energy Minister Rumen Radev launched Friday an expansion of the aboveground part of the gas storage in Chiren. The actual construction work on the new infrastructure began later in the day. Radev pointed out that the project is recognized as being one of the most significant in the energy field in Europe.

The project is valued at around EUR 308 million, of which around a quarter (EUR 78 million) comes from European funding. The expansion will pump 10 million cubic metres of gas per day. This will ensure security of gas supply not only for Bulgaria but for the whole region.

Talking about nuclear energy, Radev explained that there is a high level of readiness for an intergovernmental agreement with the United States on the fresh nuclear fuel supplies for Unit 5 of Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), but the coordination procedure with the bodies of the European Commission needs to be finalized first. That procedure is compulsory when nuclear energy and non-EU countries are concerned, he specified, adding that he expects the procedure to be over in early autumn. Afterwards, it is a matter of protocol to finalise the agreement itself. 

The Nuclear Regulatory Agency Thursday received a request on the licensing of new fuel for Unit 5 produced by Westinghouse, Radev also said. In his words, such a procedure usually takes five to six months, and all reports and conclusions of the Expert Technical Council at the Kozloduy NPP lead to the conclusion that the regulator will manage with the licensing. Such a change in the nuclear fuels used is not done for the first time in the EU, he noted.

Another challenge stemming from the change is the delivery of the new fuel, which the producer has already assured the Bulgarian authorities will be done on time.

A fuel licensing procedure will begin for Kozloduy NPP’s Unit 6 as well, which will be supplied by Framatom, but at this stage it is unclear how long that will take. It is more important that the normal work of Unit 6 has been ensured in terms of fresh fuel, and for a long period of time – until 2034, the Energy Minister said.