20.12.2024
Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev welcomed the contract to be signed today for safety analysis to license alternative nuclear fuel for Unit 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). At a meeting in the Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister congratulated the Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov, the President of Westinghouse Electric Company Patrick Fragman, the Senior Vice President of the company Azis Dag and the President of Nuclear Fuel of Westinghouse Electric Company Tarik Choho for their good work.
“It is owing to our fruitful cooperation with our US partners that we have achieved tremendous progress in terms of our common goal – to make Bulgaria’s energy sector independent which is of utmost importance for the energy security and future of the country and of the whole European Union”, Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev noted.
Earlier today, the Kozloduy NPP and Westinghouse Electric Company signed a contract for safety analysis and licensing of a new nuclear fuel assembly project for Unit 6, that contributes to fuel diversification and energy sovereignty of Bulgaria. The contract is part of a broader partnership that includes, inter alia, the supply of alternative nuclear fuel for Unit 5, and thus the plant makes progress in its upgrading and security. Westinghouse emphasizes its leading role in the supply of innovative and sustainable fuel technologies that improve efficiency.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev noted that the contract signed between Kozloduy NPP and Westinghouse is one of the many successful projects of the caretaker government. He emphasized that despite all the difficulties, the cabinet continues to work efficiently, with priority being given to key initiatives for the country related to energy security and sovereignty. In his words, this project is evidence of the government’s dedicated work for the benefit of Bulgarian citizens and economy.
The officials attending the meeting discussed also the progress made by the caretaker government to implement the project involving the construction of new nuclear facilities at the Kozloduy NPP site. It was recalled that on 4 November 2024 an engineering contract was signed for new Unit 7 and Unit 8 by the Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC and the consortium Westinghouse HDEC.
“By the construction of Unit 7 and Unit 8 of Kozloduy NPP, the government will continue to pursue with dedication its goals of the development of nuclear energy whose generation is emission-free, fully compliant with the EU Green Deal criteria and affordable to customers,” Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said firmly.
Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev drew attention to the fact that it is extremely important for Bulgaria to meet the requirement of a minimum 30% local input (inclusion of local companies) in all the phases of the implementation of the project.
