site.btaGovernment Greenlights Talks with US Companies about New Nuclear Facility on Kozloduy N-Plant's Site 2

Sofia, October 14 (BTA) - The government has allowed the
Bulgarian Energy Holding  to hold talks with US nuclear energy
companies, including those offering Small Modular Reactors, with
 a view to exploring options to build a new nuclear facility on
the approved Site 2 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, Energy
Minister Temenouzhka Petkova said on Wednesday.

Petkova told reporters after the Council of Ministers' meeting
that this decision was prompted by the EU's long-term policy of
decarbonizing the economy and achieving net-zero emissions in
the EU energy system by 2050. The government also acted in line
with the conclusions of the European Council of December 12,
2019, which acknowledged the need to respect the right of the
member states to decide on their energy mix. One of the key
arguments is that some countries have indicated that they use
nuclear energy as part of their national energy mix because it
guarantees energy security and does not generate emissions,
Petkova stressed.

It is the EU's long-term position that, by using nuclear energy
and renewable energy sources, Bulgaria can achieve the Union's
ambitious net-zero emissions goal.
 
The government's decision was also prompted by a February 21,
2020 order of the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency
designating Site 2 for a nuclear facility of the Kozloduy
nuclear power plant, said Petkova. NV/DD