site.btaEnergy Minister Meets with French Nuclear Power Company Framatome's CEO

The development of nuclear energy is one of the main priorities in the Government's management programme, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, who spoke with French company Framatome's CEO Bernard Fontana, was quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry's press centre on Friday. "I am glad that in implementing this priority we can rely on the experience and expertise of our colleagues from Framatome," he added.

The meeting, which took place in the Ministry, was also attended by French Ambassador to Bulgaria Joel Meyer, parliamentary Energy Committee Chair Pavela Mitova, Depuy Energy Minister Georgi Samandov and Bulgarian Energy Holding CEO Valentin Nikolov. 

The Energy Ministry is following a clear strategy for diversification of nuclear fuel, Stankov stressed, adding that after the loading of the first Westinghouse fuel cartridges at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 last year, Framatome supplies for Unit 6 are expected in 2026.

In the medium term, Bulgaria is also considering the application of small modular reactors as a suitable prospect in the development of the sector.

Coordinated actions of the European Union countries supporting the nuclear energy sector are key to the success of the initiatives for the development of the sector, Stankov underlined in conclusion and appealed to the French partners for common messages at European level.