site.btaBulgaria Explores Deployment of Small Modular Reactors Following High-Level Talks with GE Vernova

The Bulgarian government is exploring the possibility of deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) in the country, the government press service reported on Wednesday. This transpired after a meeting between Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov and Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer of General Electric Vernova. The discussion took place in New York and was also attended by Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) CEO Valentin Nikolov, Kozloduy NPP – New Builds CEO Petyo Ivanov, and Members of Parliament.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov recalled that the first step in this direction was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 22, 2024, between BEH and GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC, aimed at exploring the potential development of a BWRX-300 reactor project in Bulgaria.

The future deployment of SMRs in Bulgaria would complement the ongoing project to build two Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy NPP site, further reinforcing Bulgaria’s position as a regional nuclear leader in Southeast Europe. The government sees SMRs as an emerging technology capable of providing long-term stability, predictability, affordability, and low-emission baseload power generation.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov highlighted Bulgaria’s substantial experience in operating its existing nuclear power plant, as well as its regulatory capabilities, trained workforce, and robust educational programmes in the sector.

The discussions also touched upon other potential cooperation projects with General Electric, including the development of new pumped-storage hydroelectric plants and combined-cycle gas turbine power stations. A future gas-steam facility is seen as a key opportunity to maintain the Kozloduy complex’s role as a vital energy hub for Bulgaria and the wider region.