Bulgarian Energy Minister Calls for Coordinated Response to Low Danube Water Levels

Bulgarian Energy Minister Eva Petrova stated at a meeting of the National Assembly's Energy Committee in Sofia on September 2 that persistently low water levels in the Danube River have impacted the operation of nuclear power plants along its banks. While countries have taken individual response measures, there remains a need to strengthen coordination at the regional level. Petrova said the Danube is currently at extremely low water levels, leading to reduced electricity generation at nuclear power plants along the river, including Bulgaria's Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. She noted that relevant forecasts indicate such severe conditions may become more frequent in the future. She explained that the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant has...

2026-09-03

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...

2026-09-03

Unit 5 of Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Raises Power Output to 950 MW

At 10:00 on August 31, 2026, Unit 5 of Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP (Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant) began a phased increase in power output as scheduled. By 17:00 that day, the unit's power output had risen to 950 MW. In the preceding days, the Danube River water level in Bulgaria had recovered, and the plant proceeded accordingly to resume normal unit operation. Kozloduy NPP stated that the operating team continues to carry out relevant work to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the nuclear unit. In response to changes in river water levels, the plant continuously monitors the Danube River water level and maintains communication with the Danube Research and Maintenance Executive Agency to promptly track water level trends. At the same time, the plant strictly implements long-term low-water emergency procedures, conducts continuous monitoring of hydraulic structures in the technical water supply area, and takes necessary measures to ensure the effective operation of relevant facilities.

2026-09-01

Bulgarian Environmental Groups Demand Public Review of Water Engineering Project Near Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

WWF Bulgaria has called for the prompt public disclosure of the technical plans and final design selection for the proposed hydraulic structures near the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, as well as for public discussions to be organized before construction work begins in the Danube riverbed. The organization stated that the purpose of the proposed project is to raise local water levels during prolonged droughts and historically low Danube water levels, ensuring the stable operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant's cooling system. The organization has sent an open letter to Bulgaria's Minister of Energy, Minister of Transport and Communications, and Minister of Environment and Water, raising these demands. WWF Bulgaria noted that the Danube is an international waterway, and any engineering intervention involving the riverbed requires careful assessment of environmental, socio-economic, hydro-morphological, and transboundary impacts. Given the complexity of the factors involved in the project, relevant analyses, model results, and design justifications should be made public in a timely manner and subjected to transparent public discussion.

2026-08-27

Bulgaria to Build Danube Weir to Secure Cooling at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

Bulgaria plans to construct a weir approximately 250 to 300 meters long on the Danube River near the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant to ensure the stable operation of the plant's cooling system. Bulgarian Energy Minister Eva Petrova stated that the construction work is expected to take 10 to 15 days, with preliminary preparations already completed. Petrova noted that, due to the persistently low water level of the Danube, the Bulgarian side made this decision after analyzing hydrological conditions and conducting hydraulic model simulations. The weir will be used to improve water intake conditions for the nuclear power plant, ensuring the water supply required for the cooling system. Previously, due to the declining water level of the Danube, Unit 5 of the Kozloduy plant had its power output reduced by 120 megawatts to avoid potential operational risks...

2026-08-25

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 monitor hydrological changes. The situation is...

2026-08-22

Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Reduces Power Output Due to Falling Danube River Levels

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated that due to the sustained decline in the Danube River water level, Unit 5 of the Kozloduy NPP will reduce its power output by 120 megawatts starting August 21 to mitigate potential operational risks. The Ministry said in a statement that reducing reactor power is one of the measures to ensure the safe operation of the Kozloduy NPP, citing a sustained, abnormal, and rapid decline in the Danube River water level. The Danube River water level within Bulgaria is currently still on a downward trend. It is noted that this is the first time in the 52 years since the Kozloduy NPP was commissioned that its generating capacity has been reduced for such reasons. The plant uses Danube River water to cool the steam in the condensers of the conventional island, with water intake completed by dedicated pump stations located on the riverbank.

2026-08-21

Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP Addresses Challenges of Low Danube River Water Levels

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated on August 16 that the Kozloduy NPP is currently operating as planned. In response to the persistently rare low water levels in the Danube River, the plant has further studied and implemented preventive arrangements based on existing technical and organizational measures to ensure stable unit operation under complex hydrological conditions. The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that the Kozloduy NPP has established a dedicated working group to evaluate various options for ensuring the plant's normal operation, with a focus on facilities related to the riverbank pumping station. The working group is continuously optimizing the riverbank pumps, reactor unit cooling systems, spent fuel storage facilities, and the overall water...

2026-08-17

Two Units of Kozloduy NPP Operating at Full Capacity as Scheduled

As of 13:00 on August 11, 2026, the two units of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant continue to operate at full capacity in accordance with the power generation schedule. The plant's operating team maintains continuous watch to ensure the safe and stable operation of the relevant facilities. To guarantee the water volume required for the circulating pump station and the technical water cooling system, the plant has implemented technical and organizational measures under existing conditions to maintain the operation of the shore pump station. The technical condition of the relevant facilities requires ongoing attention, and operational parameters are being continuously monitored on site. To optimize water intake conditions, the plant needs to clean the riverbed between the Danube River and the shore pump station. The operation of the shore pumps is being monitored, with flow regulated by adjusting the blade angles; if necessary, further...

2026-08-12

Bulgaria's Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Faces Shutdown Risk Due to Low Danube Water Levels

On August 11, Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy warned that the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is facing the risk of reduced output or even shutdown due to the continuously declining water level of the Danube River. The plant relies on the Danube to provide cooling water for its two 1,000 MW reactors. If the water intake capacity continues to be constrained, it will directly affect the safe operation of the reactors and the stability of power supply. Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated that measures have been taken to ensure water supply to the cooling system, including dredging the channels connecting the Danube to coastal pumping stations to maintain the necessary flow. This summer, the Danube's water level has dropped to historic lows due to prolonged drought. Near Ruse, Bulgaria, the river's flow is already more than one meter below the safe navigation level, and it has continued to decline over the past 24 hours...

2026-08-12

Low Danube Water Level Tests Bulgaria's Nuclear Operations, Energy Minister Says Kozloduy Plant Can Sustain Operations for About a Week and a Half

Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova said on August 7 that if the Danube River water level remains at its current level, the Kozloduy nuclear power plant can continue normal operations for about a week and a half. She described the situation facing the plant as difficult and dynamically changing, while emphasizing that the plant is currently operating stably with no direct failures affecting power generation. The Kozloduy nuclear power plant is a critical facility in Bulgaria's power system, and the high attention paid to Danube water level changes is mainly related to the cooling conditions required for plant operations. Persistently low water levels may increase operational dispatch pressure and require the energy sector to more frequently assess safety margins and subsequent response measures.

2026-08-08

Bulgaria's Kozloduy Units 5 and 6 VVER-1000 Continue Stable Power Generation

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy confirmed on August 4 that Units 5 and 6 (both VVER-1000) at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant remain stably connected to the grid despite record-low Danube River water levels and an ongoing heatwave. Professional assessments indicate that even if the river level continues to decline at the current rate, no power reduction will be required for the next three weeks. Bulgarian authorities have confirmed that they maintain continuous contact with relevant institutions in Serbia and Romania to coordinate and monitor the situation on the Danube waterway. The stable operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant comes at a time when neighboring operators along the Danube have been forced to reduce output or cease operations. Due to the sharp drop in water levels and rising river water temperatures, Hungary has had to significantly reduce power output and shut down the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies more than 40% of the country's electricity.

2026-08-06

Bulgarian Energy Minister to Inspect Unit Operations at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy announced on August 3 that Energy Minister Iva Petrova will visit the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant on August 4. Experts from the Ministry of Energy, along with representatives of the management of Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) and the Electricity System Operator (ESO), will accompany her. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, the visit will focus on understanding the current operational status of Units 5 and 6 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, assessing the impact of the abnormally low Danube River water level on plant operations, and reviewing measures taken by the Ministry to ensure the security of Bulgaria's electricity system. On August 2, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that despite the Danube River water level dropping to a historic low, the two nuclear units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-04

Bulgaria Approves Decommissioning Licenses for Units 3 and 4 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

On August 1, the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA) issued a 10-year license to the State Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management (SERAW), authorizing it to carry out the decommissioning of Units 3 and 4 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. The license was presented to SERAW Deputy Executive Director Elizabeth Mladenova by NRA Chairman Tsanko Bachiski. The license is held by SERAW's specialized department responsible for the decommissioning of Units 1 to 4 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. SERAW Management Board Chairman Sergey Tsochev attended the license award ceremony. According to the license requirements, the decommissioning of Units 3 and 4 must comply with Bulgaria's Law on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy and relevant implementing regulations.

2026-08-03

Two Units of Kozloduy NPP Operating at Full Capacity as Scheduled

On July 30, Kozloduy NPP stated that its two units are currently operating at full capacity in accordance with the power generation plan. Affected by the persistently low water level of the Danube River, the plant established a special working group in early July and activated relevant response measures to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the units under conditions of prolonged river water level decline. Kozloduy NPP is maintaining close communication with the Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River to continuously track water level trends. Monitoring data from recent days show that the Danube River water level has dropped to its lowest in recent decades...

2026-07-31