site.btaNew Strategy for Utilization of Nuclear Fuel in the Works, Says Energy Minister

Visiting the Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP) on Wednesday, caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said that they are working actively on a new strategy for the disposal of nuclear fuel. "This was also one of the topics I discussed in Washington with our partners in the framework of the intergovernmental agreement, not only in terms of technical support and sharing their experience, but also of looking for the best possible solution in terms of security and peace of mind of the Bulgarian society, and the best way to dispose of the fuel," he explained.

He noted that this is a process yet to be completed. "I don't want there to be any worries, because this fuel that is now being put into Kozloduy NPP will be used for a long time, until it comes to the point of the need for its safe storage, so in this period I hope we will be ready with the strategy as well," Malinov said.

He added that during his visit to the US last week, he had also received a firm commitment of support from EXIM Bank (the US government's foreign trade bank) to provide not only a large part of the financing in terms of the US equipment that will be put into the NPP's Units 7 and 8, but also 40% of the Bulgarian participation in the implementation of the project.

The caretaker Energy Minister expressed the hope that the contract with Westinghouse on the preliminary design's preparation would be signed by September, with the aim of securing the funding within the last quarter of 2025. "Both the final cost and the time period for the implementation of the project should be determined, so that we can be in a position to take a final investment decision and to issue the first building permit," Malinov said.

He was at Kozloduy NPP to participate in a ceremony marking the start of alternative fuel use in the plant's Unit 5, supplied by Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB. Also attending the ceremony were caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten, and representatives of Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB.