Bulatom held its Traditional International Nuclear Conference

This year’s 21st edition of the Traditional International Nuclear Conference organized by BulАtom under the title “BULGARIAN NUCLEAR ENERGY – NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND WORLD ENERGY SECURITY”, which was held in the period July 5-7 at the Riviera Holiday Club, near the city of Varna, was caused enormous interest.

The conference was attended by more than 270 representatives of 64 Bulgarian and foreign companies, institutions and organizations.

The diplomatic corps in Bulgaria was represented by 11 embassies, including the ambassadors of France, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, the deputy heads of mission of Denmark and Korea, as well as by the economic councillors at the embassies of the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Canada.

And this year, 34 students and professors from specialties related to nuclear energy from Sofia University, Technical University – Sofia and UNSS took part in the conference.

At the opening of the forum, the Minister of Energy, Mr. Vladimir Malinov, emphasized the key role of nuclear energy and stressed that “our country will continue to rely on the reliable and safe operation of nuclear facilities, which ensure emission-free production at reasonable prices and fully in line with the challenges related to the European Green Deal”. According to Minister Malinov, “The project for the construction of new nuclear facilities at the Kozloduy NPP site, together with the diversification of fuel, is the most significant for the Bulgarian economy. It will fulfil one of Bulgaria’s strategic goals in the context of energy transformation – the transition to low-emission and sustainable energy sources.”

In the late afternoon of the first day of the conference, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev, joined the conference, in his speech he said that “For the first time, the producers of energy from nuclear power plants have united at the international level in Dubai to oppose prejudices regarding nuclear energy and this is the greatest success – to recognize the role of the peaceful atom for the future of the planet”, He also stressed that “Bulgaria is proud to have half a century of experience in safe, stable, reliable operation of nuclear facilities and entirely with its own highly qualified personnel.”

During the three days of the conference, the participants not only had the opportunity to exchange experience, show the achievements of their companies, learn about the plans for the development of nuclear energy in other European countries, but also got acquainted with the upcoming stages of development of the project for the construction of units 7 and 8 of Kozloduy NPP. with Westinghouse’s AP1000 project and Hyundai Engineering & Construction’s experience in the design and construction of nuclear power plants.

Great interest was also aroused by the financial panel held at the end of the third day of the conference. Leading international and Bulgarian experts took part on-site and online to discuss and present their views on how to secure financing for a proven technology that contributes to sustainable development and energy security, which, however, is highly dependent on price, construction and political risk – such as nuclear energy.

At the closing of the conference, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BulAtom, Dr. Eng. Bogomil Manchev thanked all participants in the conference for the fruitful work, for the high level of presentations and interesting debates. He expressed his and all attendees’ optimism for the development of Bulgarian nuclear energy through the construction of units 7 and 8 of Kozloduy NPP.

BulАtom expresses its gratitude to all speakers and participants in the conference, as well as to the companies that helped organize and conduct it: Kozloduy NPP EAD, Kozloduy NPP – New Builds EAD, Westinghouse, Framatome, Siemens Energy, Jensen Hughes, Excel Services Corporation, Marsh McLennan, Çiltuğ Inc., Glavbolgarstroy Holding, Tita-Consult, KMC and GCR.