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Bulgaria terminates the early contract with Russia for nuclear fuel

by AI | 30.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

For the first time, a Bulgarian nuclear power plant will operate with fuel from the USA

Kozloduy NPP operates with two reactors with a total capacity of 2000 megawatts. Since the construction of the plant in the 1970s, the reactors have only been operating with nuclear fuel supplied by the USSR and Russia. Photo: NPP/BTA

Kozloduy – Bulgaria will terminate the contract with Russia for the supply of nuclear fuel for the Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP). This was announced to journalists by the executive director of the plant Valentin Nikolov.

He participated in the ceremony of laying nuclear fuel from the USA in the Bulgarian plant for the first time, which was also attended by the US ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten. For the first time since the construction of the Bulgarian NPP, fuel from Russia or the USSR will not be used.

In this way, Bulgaria is fulfilling the goals of the European Union (EU) to gradually eliminate dependence on the import of Russian energy sources.

Bulgaria has two nuclear reactors from the Soviet era and has recently taken steps to build two new units using Western technology. Sofia is negotiating to sell Kiev two Russian-made nuclear units that have not been used so far. The European Commission has expressed its readiness to finance the deal and negotiations are expected to conclude very soon.

The Kozloduy NPP received 43 fuel assemblies from the American company Westinghouse. The plant has also signed a contract with the French company Framatome for the supply of nuclear fuel. The unused Russian nuclear fuel will be kept in reserve, decided the Bulgarian government.

This is the beginning of Bulgaria’s separation from almost complete dependence on Russia, commented the interim Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. He emphasized that the achievement is the result of 20 years of efforts by many governments.

The interim Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov stated that the diversification process will continue, including with the construction of new nuclear units.

Kozloduy NPP produces one-third of the electricity in Bulgaria. Preparation for the transition to Westinghouse fuel began in 2019, and the first assemblies arrived a month ago.

In late April, the director of the Kozloduy NPP announced that the plant has a stock of Russian nuclear fuel until 2029. The first delivery of fuel from Framatome is expected next year. (May 29, 2024)