site.btaKozloduy Production Costs to Remain Stable in the Next Two to Three Years, Nuclear Power Plant Director Says

The production cost of electricity at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is expected to remain unchanged over the next two to three years because the plant has sufficient nuclear fuel supplies, Executive Director Ivan Andreev told reporters on the sidelines of the Bulgarian Atomic Forum (BULATOM) international nuclear conference near Varna on Wednesday.

Andreev said the cost of nuclear fuel was the main factor determining production costs, while other expenses were comparatively insignificant. He added, however, that the plant faced challenges related to extended reactor lifetimes, sanctions and increasingly complex supply chains.

He stressed that Bulgaria was the first EU Member State to diversify its nuclear fuel supplies and said efforts were under way to diversify the supply of key spare parts as well.

Asked about the construction of Units 7 and 8, Andreev said the project was progressing according to schedule under the management of Kozloduy NPP - New Builds PLC, with the plant providing expert and logistical support.

Andreev recalled an earlier Bulgarian Energy Holding analysis indicating the number of generating units needed to maintain the stability of the power system and argued that the plants in the Maritsa Basin should be preserved.

He also pointed to workforce renewal as a major challenge, noting that many employees were approaching retirement age and that training programmes were in place to prepare their successors.

Another key issue is spent fuel management. Andreev said current wet storage facilities would be sufficient until 2035, while procedures for the delivery of dry storage containers and the expansion of dry storage capacity were continuing.

According to Andreev, nuclear power is becoming increasingly important worldwide, while Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant remains a cornerstone of Bulgaria's energy sector. He described Units 7 and 8 as an investment in the country's future competitiveness.