site.btaMinister Stankov and Secretary Wright Review Key Energy Initiatives between Bulgaria and United States

Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, Zhecho Stankov, discussed key bilateral issues in the sector with the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, during their meeting in Athens, Stankov’s ministry reported on Friday. Minister Stankov is in the Greek capital to take part in the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC).

The two officials reviewed progress on strategic projects, including the Vertical Gas Corridor along the north-south axis from the Baltic Sea to the Aegean Sea, and the construction of Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant using Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology. Stankov briefed his counterpart on the discussions leading up to the signing of an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with a consortium between the American company Westinghouse and South Korea’s Hyundai. “We are aiming for an integrated solution for this key project that will ensure its successful implementation,” he emphasized.

Minister Stankov and Secretary Wright also discussed cooperation between Bulgaria and the US in the operation of nuclear facilities and the exploration of opportunities to introduce small modular reactors (SMRs) in Bulgaria. In September, the two signed a joint statement reaffirming the goals of the intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and the US to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation. Under that agreement, Bulgaria can draw on the expertise of American laboratories to conduct a preliminary feasibility study assessing the viability and suitability of potential sites for the accelerated deployment of SMRs in the country. Minister Stankov informed his counterpart of Bulgaria’s intention to invite companies that are at the forefront of developing these technologies to discuss potential projects in the country.

“We would like to make active use of American experience and build upon our decades-long track record in the safe operation of nuclear facilities. With small modular reactors, we have the opportunity to do so using the most advanced and modern technologies in the sector,” Stankov said.

Wright invited the Bulgarian Energy Minister to visit Washington by the end of the year to establish a joint expert group that would provide operational support for accelerating projects of mutual interest between the two countries, which will introduce new technologies and innovations in the energy sector.

Earlier in the day, Stankov held talks with representatives of the US Nuclear Energy Institute, where the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria was again a central topic of discussion.

Stankov stressed: “Bulgaria has significant potential and the ambition to attract world-class companies to develop gigafactories and data centres.” He highlighted the need to direct investments towards technologies that ensure sustainability, stability, and flexibility of the Bulgarian energy system. Alongside SMRs, he identified energy storage projects as solutions capable of meeting these challenges.

Stankov also met with US financial institutions to discuss funding for key energy projects in Bulgaria. The Export–Import Bank of the United States (Exim Bank) reaffirmed its support for the construction of new nuclear capacities in Bulgaria and expressed interest in participating in the project. With the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the guest discussed the implementation of four new pumped-storage hydropower plants in Bulgaria and other future projects of regional significance.