BulAtom will present up-to-date information on the nuclear sector

Dear Mr. Manchev, this year at the Bulatom conference, visions and strategies from countries where nuclear energy is being developed will be shared. Which of them, in your opinion, would be most relevant to the Bulgarian reality and what lessons can we learn from foreign experience?

As of the end of 2024, 439 nuclear units are operating in the world and 64 nuclear units are under construction. These facilities provide about 9% of the production of electricity in the world. Nuclear energy has the status of Green Energy in the European Community. Representatives of such countries as France, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, etc. will participate in the conference as representatives of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Bulgaria. We expect to hear from them information about what is currently being done in these countries in the field of nuclear energy and what are their plans for the development of this industry in the future. These are all countries where nuclear energy is a priority industry. The experience that they have traditionally shared in our conference for more than 15 years is very important, especially for the structures in our country that are implementing the development of the Units 7 and 8 project at the Kozloduy NPP site at the moment. Usually, the information presented refers to the organizational approaches adopted in these countries, the chosen technological solutions, as well as the method of financing such projects. In any case, this information has always helped in determining what decisions the government should make on these issues, we hope it will be the same this yearа.

The projects for new nuclear capacities in Kozloduy are undoubtedly among the key topics in the nuclear energy sector in our country. How would you describe the current stage of development and what are the main factors that will determine their success in the coming years?

Undoubtedly, the project of units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site is without an alternative for the development of nuclear energy in our country at the moment. It is gratifying that this project enjoys full political support from the Parliament and the Government of Bulgaria. No less important is the fact that KOZLODUY NPP – New Build EAD has been actively working on the implementation of the project for more than 2 years, and the necessary financial resources have been provided for this. It is a fact that a consortium between Westinghouse and Hyundai has been established, which will carry out all activities related to this project. These companies have already chosen their main Bulgarian subcontractors. The necessary contracts with these companies for the phased implementation of the project have been signed and are being implemented. The preparation of an EIA for Unit 8 is also underway. In other words, for the moment, things look good for us organizationally – it remains to work as ambitiously and professionally.

The development of human resources in nuclear energy is a current topic. What specific efforts are being made in this direction and what can make the sector more attractive to young specialists in Bulgaria?

This problem in the last 3 years has finally found its organizational solution on the part of the Bulgarian government. The current strategy for providing personnel for nuclear energy is being implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and the NRA. Literally in the last month, we have witnessed several meetings with the participation of the ministers of energy and education, at which this issue occupied a central place. The truth is that the training of personnel for nuclear energy is a long and difficult process, and it requires the involvement of young people who are ready to realize themselves as engineers in the construction and subsequent operation of future nuclear units. The attraction of these people will depend on :

• from the successive – i.e. without interruptions – implementation of the Units 7 and 8 projects – these young people should see their future for the next 30-50 years;
•  the conditions for passing through the educational process in higher education;
•  the living conditions that the place where these facilities will be built will offer them – i.e. the town of Kozloduy;
•  from the salary that this profession will offer them;
•  from the future of this industry in the next 50-100 years – the construction of another nuclear power plant at the Belene site.

None of these lines should be underestimated and all of them should find their place in a new strategy for the development of energy in Bulgaria.

All these questions, I hope, will find their place in the discussions that will take place on the third day of our conference – June 6, 2025.

In conclusion, what is your address to those involved in the nuclear sector in our country?

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all companies involved in one form or another in the operation of Units 5 and 6 of Kozloduy NPP or in the project of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site to participate in the Bulatom 2025 conference – June 4-6.

Source: ENERGY magazine