site.btaKozloduy NPP Brings Forward Shutdown of Unit 6 to Sunday

Unit 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) will be shut down on Sunday, one day earlier than previously announced, the plant said late on Saturday. The shutdown had originally been scheduled for Monday.

The decision to shut down the unit earlier was made after an additional defect was discovered during preparations for the planned shutdown on December 22. In addition to the faulty protective membrane device on the turbine steam superheater separator reported on Friday, a malfunction was found in another protective device of the same type.

Kozloduy NPP said that the available spare membrane devices have been sent for analysis and testing to two independent scientific organizations. Once the tests are completed, the devices will be installed on the unit.

There has been no release of radioactive or other pollutants into the environment and that there is no risk to the safety of personnel or the public, according to the plant's statement.

Unit 6 had been scheduled to shut down on Monday to replace a protective membrane device on the turbine steam superheater separator. The fault occurred during operation, prompting a preventive shutdown on December 15 so an identical safety device could be replaced. Earlier this week, Unit 6 was reconnected to the national power grid after the replacement was completed.