site.btaCaretaker PM Gurov: Bulgaria to Double Nuclear Energy Capacity in 15 Years

Bulgaria will double its nuclear power capacity over the next 15 years, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said on Tuesday while attending a nuclear energy forum.

Nuclear power is crucial to Europe’s economic development, stability and security, and Bulgaria, which has used it safely for more than 50 years, is part of that effort, Gurov said.

He said he and EU officials discussed how to make financing for major infrastructure projects, particularly in smaller countries, more accessible. They also addressed electricity grid interconnection in Bulgaria and across Europe to help narrow price gaps between regions, as well as EU regulatory changes needed to support the expansion of nuclear power.

He added he had discussed the caretaker government’s agenda with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing mainly on the Recovery and Resilience Plan, and that they had agreed to speak by phone in the coming days to discuss the details and preparations for the next European Council.

Gurov also said Bulgaria will announce measures by the end of the week to address rising fuel prices, adding that the government was monitoring the situation closely.

Europe’s strength lies in acting together, which is why the focus is on financing certain projects through EU funds and the bloc’s budget to support energy interconnection and help prevent such crises from having a serious short-term impact, Gurov added.