Preventive Power Reduction of Unit 5 at Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP

Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova stated in Sofia on August 21 that due to the persistently low water level of the Danube River, Unit 5 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (Kozloduy NPP) has undergone a preventive reduction in power generation of approximately 120 MW, but the plant is currently not in a crisis situation. The unit has an installed capacity of slightly over 1,000 MW.

Petrova said that the power reduction is a preventive measure within the plant's action plan for responding to the declining Danube water level, and the current situation is under control. She noted that if the water level continues to drop, Unit 5 may require further power reduction. At present, the plant has established an internal working group to continuously track hydrological changes. "The situation is changing rapidly. From yesterday to today, the Danube water level rose by 2 centimeters. The latest forecasts indicate that the water level will remain at its current level," she said.

Andrey Krasnocharov, Deputy Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP, explained that the power reduction is intended to ensure the operation of equipment at the shore pumping station, which supplies cooling water to the turbine systems of Units 5 and 6. He emphasized that this measure is unrelated to nuclear safety. If the Danube water level continues to decline, Unit 6 may also require a power reduction.

Dimitar Zarchev, Head of the Central Dispatch Office at Bulgaria's Electricity System Operator (ESO), stated that the power reduction of Unit 5 will not cause problems for the operation of the power system. According to the agency's data, due to high temperatures in central Europe, Bulgaria's average daily electricity consumption in recent days is approximately 90,000 MWh, electricity exports amount to approximately 30,000 MWh, and total generation is approximately 131,000 MWh.

Zarchev said that the current balance of the power system and export arrangements have not been affected. If the situation deteriorates, export volumes may be adjusted downward, but the available generation capacity at this stage still meets system demand. He added that high summer photovoltaic generation and energy storage output help alleviate pressure during evening peak demand.

Georgi Dobrev, Executive Director of Bulgaria's National Electricity Company (NEK), stated that the power reduction of Unit 5 at Kozloduy NPP will not affect electricity supply to residential consumers, and the relevant power supply has been secured.

Petrova also stated that the overhaul of Unit 7 at the Maritsa East 2 thermal power plant will be completed ahead of schedule and the unit will be put into operation on August 22; Unit 8 is expected to resume operation in early September. She said that Bulgaria currently does not need to reduce electricity exports or increase imports, and the existing power balance can support system operation.

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy is coordinating with Romania, Hungary, Greece, and the European Commission, and has requested Romania and Serbia to increase discharge flows through their hydroelectric facilities where conditions permit. Petrova noted that the decline in the Danube water level affects the entire basin, and the European Commission's Electricity Coordination Group has also discussed this issue and studied possibilities for further collaboration among regional countries.