site.btaUPDATED Energy Minister Says Kozloduy NPP's Units 7 and 8 Project Is Largest in This Decade and Next

The outgoing Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov said in Parliament on Wednesday that the construction of units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP is not only Bulgaria's largest project of this decade but will also be the largest project of the next decade. Earlier Wednesday, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) requested a hearing on the subject, and even though their request was not accepted, Stankov then took the floor to answer questions from CC-DB MP Radoslav Ribarski.

The Minister said that he and his team made this project irreversible. He added: "I am glad that at the end of the government's term, our colleagues from PP-DB took an interest in the project, because they were the ones who did not support Westinghouse's strategic technology AP1000, did not support its construction by Hyundai, did not support the continuation of work on the site, and are now trying to convince people with made-up statements that this project is not good and not important." He stated that tens of thousands of Bulgarians will rely on units 7 and 8 for their jobs both during the construction of the units and after its completion.

Stankov said that the project will provide Bulgarian companies with know-how from Westinghouse and Hyundai, which they can use later both on the Bulgarian NPP and on powerplants in Europe and around the world. He reported that the project for units 7 and 8 is proceeding according to plan.

The Energy Minister's speech was interrupted by a physical altercation between MPs in the chamber, and a break was called until 11 a.m.

Once the hearing in Parliament was renewed, Stankov pledged to conduct an investigation into information about the planned purchase of land for the construction of units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP. He did so, as Ribarski reported that CC-DB acquired documents for the planned purchase and sale of a plot of land in the immediate vicinity of the Kozloduy NPP for the construction of new facilities. He said that the problem lies in the way it is being carried out and the price of EUR 100 million excluding VAT, which he described as outrageous. "This deal has been concluded in secret over the last few months and is about to end with the plundering of state-owned companies," he added.

The Energy Minister said that no money will be granted for buying plots for the Kozloduy NPP or for Kozloduy NPP - New Builds. He reported that a check with the responsible teams refuted CC-DB's suggestion that land had been purchased for EUR 100 million. He added: "Based on your statement, I will ensure that all competent authorities carry out the necessary checks to guarantee peace of mind."

Stankov then corrected his statement that CC-DB had not supported the AP1000 technology for the new units. He clarified that when the AP1000 technology was voted on, CC-DB overall voted in favour, while only CC Chair Assen Vassilev voted against it.

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