Construction of Nuclear Capacities as a Key to Sustainable Energy

Dear Mr. Manchev, in the context of current global developments, could you briefly share your view on the short‑ and long‑term prospects for nuclear energy in Bulgaria?

For more than 51 years, nuclear energy has been a cornerstone of Bulgaria’s electricity sector. The timelines for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities are now fundamentally different from those of traditional generating capacities such as thermal and gas-fired power plants or renewable energy installations. Therefore, the time horizon of your question requires a different type of answer.

If we speak about short‑term priorities in Bulgaria’s nuclear sector, the key task is ensuring the successful operation of Units 5 and 6 until the middle of this century — respectively until 2049 and 2051. As for the long‑term development of Bulgaria’s nuclear energy, two major objectives can be outlined very briefly: the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site by 2038 with a combined capacity of 2000 MW, and the launch and implementation of a 2000 MW project at the Belene site in the period 2035–2050.

How do you assess the progress of the project for Units 7 and 8 at Kozloduy NPP? In your view, what are the key technological and organizational prerequisites for its timely and sustainable implementation?

Unlike the approach used for new nuclear power plant projects in the mid‑20th century, today the process is significantly more complex. This applies to the requirements placed on designers, the steps for verification and approval of the project at national and international levels, as well as the expectations toward equipment suppliers and construction contractors.

At the same time, the requirements of financial institutions providing funding for such projects have also increased, as have the expectations regarding the relationship between designers and builders on the one hand, and the future owners of the facilities on the other — particularly in terms of guarantees and ensuring successful long‑term operation. These changes stem both from accumulated experience in nuclear construction and operation, and from the hard lessons learned from past nuclear incidents.

Safety has become the decisive factor in nuclear projects — as it should be. However, this reality has led to a more complex implementation process and higher costs. The project for Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site is no exception. The positive aspect is that it is being developed under contracts with globally leading companies in the nuclear sector — Westinghouse and Hyundai. It also enjoys strong political support from Bulgaria’s political leadership.

The project is well structured, and the responsible state institutions are following a predefined activity plan. Instead of listing what has already been completed, I will simply note that all information is publicly available on the website of the leading Bulgarian company — Kozloduy NPP New Build EAD. We expect Unit 7 to be commissioned in 2035 and Unit 8 in 2038.

It would also be interesting to hear your view on the prospects for the Belene NPP project. How would you comment on its place in Bulgaria’s long‑term energy strategy?

BULATOM has developed a detailed analysis on this topic, prepared at the beginning of 2025 and subsequently submitted and presented to all relevant institutions in Bulgaria. It is available on our association’s website. The short answer, however, was already mentioned in my response to your first question, but for clarity I will repeat it.

First: operation of Units 5 and 6 until 2047 and 2051.
Second: construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site by 2038.
Third: construction of a 2000 MW nuclear power plant at the Belene site in the period 2035–2050.
The rationale for these conclusions is presented in detail in the referenced analysis.

Looking ahead to 2060, how do you envision a sustainable energy system for Bulgaria — one that integrates nuclear capacities, renewable energy sources, and storage and balancing technologies?

The answer to your question is contained within it. The new mandatory requirements for the development and operation of zero‑emission energy systems call for new approaches. It is already clear that the future of Bulgaria’s electricity sector up to 2060 will be a combination of nuclear capacities and renewable energy sources, complemented increasingly by storage and balancing facilities (batteries, pumped‑storage hydropower plants, and others) to ensure proper use and management of generated electricity.

New technologies will undoubtedly play a role — including fusion energy, hydrogen applications, and other innovations currently being developed intensively in the most advanced countries in the world: the United States, France, Germany, Japan, China, Russia, and others.

Many of these topics will be discussed at BULATOM 2026. How will this year’s conference differ from previous editions, what can participants expect, and what messages do you anticipate the event will convey?

This is precisely the idea behind BULATOM 2026, as reflected in the preliminary program — the topics discussed in your previous questions will be addressed in the presentations across the various sections of our three‑day conference. We aim to receive information on the intentions of leading nuclear countries in these areas, updates on the real progress of the project for Units 7 and 8, insights into the operation of Units 5 and 6 at Kozloduy NPP, and details on the remaining steps for the decommissioning of Units 1–4.

Most importantly, we want to provide an opportunity for all Bulgarian companies interested in participating in the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site to present their capabilities and potentially be approved as subcontractors to the Westinghouse–Hyundai consortium. Any Bulgarian company wishing to do so can find the necessary information on the BULATOM website.

Source: EL MEDIA