Application for site location submitted for the new Kozloduy unit.

An application has been submitted to Bulgaria's Nuclear Regulatory Agency to determine the location of the planned unit 8 at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

The project company, Kozloduy NPP–New Build EAD, is state-owned through its parent company Kozloduy NPP EAD, which currently operates the existing nuclear power plant. On Tuesday, it announced that it had submitted its application for the permit.

"All necessary documents were included with the application, which will be examined to ensure compliance with the ASUNE (Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy) and its relevant regulations. This application marks the initial step in the broader process of licensing a new nuclear facility, and the company has several tasks ahead to secure it," stated the project company.

The agency confirmed that it received the application and mentioned that it would "develop a program for a thorough review and evaluation of the submitted application and the documents accompanying it."

The submission coincided with a meeting where Bulgaria's Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov discussed the government's priorities with European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, focusing on "diversifying energy sources, advancing nuclear energy and green technologies, and enhancing energy efficiency."

Stankov also participated in a gathering of EU member states' Nuclear Alliance ministers, where he expressed Bulgaria's support for recognizing nuclear energy as a low-carbon baseline option by the European Commission, allowing it to receive the same benefits as other decarbonization technologies.

The context

Kozloduy units 1-4 were VVER-440 models that the European Commission deemed non-upgradeable, leading to Bulgaria agreeing to their closure during EU accession talks in 2007. Units 5 and 6 are equipped with VVER-1000 reactors that were connected to the grid in 1987 and 1991, respectively. Both units have undergone refurbishment and life-extension initiatives to prolong their operational lifespan from 30 to 60 years. The two operational reactors generate approximately one-third of the country's electricity.

Westinghouse's AP1000 technology has been chosen for the two proposed new units, and in November, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Westinghouse, and Kozloduy NPP-New Build signed an engineering contract for the new capacity. Ministers noted that this contract signing indicates that the schedule and financial aspects will be finalized within 12 months for the new capacity.

The goal is for the first new Westinghouse AP1000 unit - unit 7 at Kozloduy - to become operational in 2035, while the second one - unit 8 - is targeted for operation in 2037. The combined capacity of the two new units will be 2300 MWe, surpassing the 1760 MWe capacity of the previously closed first four units. The Bulgarian government has also indicated that additional units will be necessary to replace units 5 and 6 by 2050.