site.btaBulgarian Energy System Is Stable, No Problems Expected - Minister Stankov

The Bulgarian energy system is stable and no problems are expected, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov told journalists here on Tuesday. He was asked to comment on whether there is a risk for Bulgaria to remain without electricity following the massive power outage in Spain and Portugal on Monday. According to him, it was the nuclear power in France that saved those two countries' energy systems from disruption.

"We continue with the Government's clear vision for investment in new nuclear capacities across the country. They will not only guarantee our energy security, but that of the entire region," said Minister Stankov. He was speaking to reporters ahead of a symposium for Bulgarian suppliers organized by Westinghouse in relation to the strategic project for the construction of two new AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site.

The Energy Minister explained that nuclear reactors have different cooling options. In AP1000 type reactors the cooling is passive: no matter what happens to the power system, they react instantly and ensure the safety of both the reactor and the operation of the plant as a whole, he specified.

Stankov underscored that the Bulgarian energy system is well protected and no problems related to cyber security are expected. He said it was unlikely that the power cuts in Spain and Portugal were caused by a cyber attack. He expressed the hope that the electricity supply in the two countries would be fully restored and the exact cause of the incident would be identified so that European countries could unite and take measures to prevent similar situations in the future.

He noted that Bulgaria has the best energy mix. On one side are the balancing capacities, such as the Chaira power plant and the coal-fired power plants, and on the other side are the permanent capacities, such as the nuclear power plants. Last but not least, our country is making efforts for a cleaner future by building new plants. "The mix we have in Bulgaria is the safest. We are convinced that we should continue in this direction - with investments in more emission-free power plants, which are precisely the nuclear capacities," the Energy Minister added.