Bulgaria Approves Procurement of Russian-Made Equipment for Kozloduy NPP

Bulgaria's government press office reported on September 2 that the government has issued a special permit to Kozloduy NPP, allowing it to procure equipment and materials from Russia necessary for the continued safe operation of the plant.

The Bulgarian government stated that ensuring nuclear safety and accident-free power generation requires regular procurement of spare parts from the designers, engineers, and manufacturers of the plant's equipment. Since most systems and equipment at Kozloduy NPP originate from Russia, multiple contracts concerning the supply of equipment needed for the reliable and safe operation of Units 5 and 6 have been or are about to be signed with Russian suppliers.

The government also authorized Bulgaria's National Electric Company to sign new contracts with Russia's Atomstroyexport for technical guidance on the re-preservation of equipment already delivered for Units 1 and 2 of the Belene NPP, ensuring that the relevant equipment remains in a safe condition. The contract terms indicate that Russian experts are required to participate in this work.

Currently, the contract for technical guidance on the re-preservation of long-lead equipment at Belene NPP is set to expire on December 31, 2026. The Bulgarian side plans to renew the contract in accordance with the Public Procurement Act. After the Belene project was halted in 2009, the delivered Russian VVER-1000 reactor equipment remained in Bulgaria. In March 2012, the Bulgarian side abandoned further construction of the plant.

Kozloduy NPP is Bulgaria's only operating nuclear power plant, generating more than one-third of the country's total electricity. To meet requirements for EU accession, Bulgaria shut down the plant's first four units in 2002 and 2006, respectively. Currently, Units 5 and 6 of Kozloduy NPP remain in operation, with a total installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts.