Bogomil Manchev: Bulgaria must build another 2,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2052

By 2052, Bulgaria must make the effort to build another 2,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity, because after the shutdown of Unit 6 of the Kozloduy NPP in 2051, the country will again be left with only two operating reactors. This was stated by Bogomil Manchev, chairman of the Bulgarian Atomic Forum (Bulatom), during the panel “Nuclear Energy and Innovations – Europe’s Low‑Carbon Energy Test” at the Green Transition Forum 6.0 — the largest platform in Central and Eastern Europe for discussions on sustainable development and economic transformation.

GTF 6.0 is organized by Dir.bg and took place from June 1 to 5 in Sofia. Over the years, it has established itself as the only conference in an Eastern European capital that brings together world leaders, leading economists, and industry representatives in the context of the need for deep reforms.

Alongside Manchev, the panel — moderated by Kostadin Sirleshtov, managing partner at CMS — included Petyo Ivanov, CEO of “Kozloduy NPP – New Build ” EAD; Ivan Pironkov, managing director of Westinghouse Bulgaria / ICS customer solutions manager; Kim De‑song, Hyundai Engineering & Construction; Joanna Drake, deputy director‑general of the Directorate‑General for Research and Innovation; Günter Kraft, chief director of Communications and Government Affairs at Focused Energy; and Olga Bakardzhieva, EU director of the Fusion Industry Association.

In his speech, Manchev highlighted the significant experience of the Bulgarian nuclear sector, which has accumulated knowledge from 50 years of nuclear power operation and 24–25 years of decommissioning the old Units 1–4. The industry expects the new pair — Units 7 and 8, which are extremely important for the national economy and our baseload energy — to be developed according to the roadmap adopted by the government.
According to him, we are currently witnessing events that are reshaping the global agenda.

“For about twenty years we struggled to deal with the Green Deal — some countries tried to outsmart the system, others did not invest enough, but we reached, as they say, the middle of the road,” he commented.

Manchev added that, in parallel, a huge new demand for electricity has emerged due to data centers and gigafactories, which has completely changed planning priorities.

The Bulatom chairman emphasized the need for strategic thinking up to 2060, since Unit 6 will be decommissioned in 2051. In his words, the two new units must determine to what extent the state can reduce electricity production from hydrocarbons.

“These hydrocarbons that Bulgaria possesses as reserves should be kept as cold reserve, because they are extremely important — not simply abandoned and left unexploited,” he stressed.

Manchev explained that in the future, renewable energy sources will be much easier to build, but baseload capacity will remain essential for grid stability.

“Since it is necessary to build baseload capacity on which we can add everything else — solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable sources — the industry is so focused on participating with all its capabilities,” he said.

The goal of Bulgarian business is to develop so that it becomes an adequate partner to Westinghouse and Hyundai for new third‑generation units. These reactors are designed for 60 years of operation, with a certified possibility for an additional 20‑year extension.

Regarding the future of nuclear energy beyond the 7th and 8th units, Manchev shared the organization’s analysis. According to him, when the two new units enter operation in 2035 and 2038, Bulgaria will have four operating reactors, but after 2051 it will again be left with only two.

“We believe that by 2052 Bulgaria must make the effort to build another 2 gigawatts — that is, another 2,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity,” Manchev said, pointing to the Belene and Kozloduy sites as possible solutions for the state.

In conclusion, the expert appealed to the Ministry of Energy for the urgent preparation of a strategy up to 2060, since processes in the sector require decades to implement.

“We must start the process if we want this to happen. Otherwise, in 2052 those who come after us will have problems balancing the grid and will struggle to secure stable baseload energy that ensures effective regulation and control of our energy system,” he warned at the end of his speech.

Source: Dir.bg