BTA :: Partnership Agreements Open Path for Bulgarian Business in New Kozloduy Nuclear Units Project

Partnership Agreements Open Path for Bulgarian Business in New Kozloduy Nuclear Units Project - Budget Committee Chair Dobrev

Dimitrina Solakova, Antoan Nikolov

Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee Chair Delyan Dobrev speaking at a symposium for suppliers organized by Westinghouse in Sofia, April 29, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Kassabov)

Sofia,

29.04.2025 11:17

(BTA)

The signing of more than 30 partnership agreements with Bulgarian companies for participation in the project for Unit 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is extremely important, parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee Chair Delyan Dobrev said here on Tuesday. He was speaking at a symposium for suppliers organized by Westinghouse in Sofia in relation to the strategic project for the construction of two new AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy site.

In Dobrev's words, the signed agreements enable Bulgarian companies to acquire valuable skills and technologies. They will be applicable not only in the implementation of this project, but also in future ones with AP1000 reactors in Europe, he argued.

Dobrev believes that Bulgaria will not limit itself to the construction of the two new units. According to him, Bulgaria has the best conditions in Europe for the development of nuclear energy - high public support from over 70%, political will, as well as experience in the sector and prepared sites for new capacities. "If we manage to secure buyers for the electricity produced, there is no reason to stop with units 7 and 8," Dobrev said. He noted that four more units could be built at Kozloduy and up to eight AP1000 reactors at Belene, as the site was originally designed for six Russian units.

"We have to set high goals. Units 7 and 8 are just the beginning. How many units Bulgaria will build will depend on the number of electricity buyers.If they are available, the State will provide the necessary guarantees," Dobrev stressed.

According to him, Bulgaria has the potential not only to be the first in Europe with AP1000 units built, but also to become a hub for nuclear power generation and for the development of artificial intelligence centres.

/RY/