The sixth unit of the "Kozloduy" NPP is shutting down for scheduled annual repairs. The unit has a problem with one of the steam generators. Measures are planned to determine what exactly the problem is. We are not talking about radical actions.
This was commented to the Bulgarian National Radio by the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Tsanko Bachiiski.
"It is shutting down long before there is any danger to anything – neither for the environment nor for people", assures the head of the NRA.
With regard to the sixth unit, the Agency has not yet received any requests for a change of fuel, he specifies.
The transition to another type of fuel in the fifth unit will last 4 years, as last year a quarter of the zone was loaded, and now half of the active zone is loaded with American fuel, the parameters are monitored and at the moment there are no data on problems, says Bachyski.
"Even in 2027 the zone will be completely with American fuel. Until then, the Agency has given permission for a transition to new fuel and every year during the planned annual maintenance, a quarter of the zone is replaced and the results of the previous year are taken into account. At the moment, there are no deviations. The fuel is working normally, without any worries."
The review of the documents required for selecting a site for the eighth unit is being completed. This is necessary because the site where the new facilities are to be located is licensed for only one unit. The NRA will grant permission for additional studies to determine whether it is possible to locate another unit there.
"There will be clarity by the middle of next year. Everything indicates that there is no problem and most likely by the middle of next year there will be permission to deploy another unit on the already selected site", predicts Tsanko Bachiiski in the program "Predi visi".
"I expect that there will be an approved site for the eighth unit by the beginning of autumn next year at the latest."
At the moment, there is no government decision to begin the licensing process for small model reactors, but the NRA is preparing for such a process, the NRA chairman also commented. At the moment, small modular reactors are in the development process and operate only in Russia and China.
"And whether they will ever be deployed in Bulgaria, whether it is advisable to deploy them and what their benefits are, this must be decided by those who have a need and interest in deploying such nuclear facilities. There is interest - not only in Bulgaria, but throughout Europe. These reactors have advantages, they have great flexibility, very good safety characteristics - at least declared ones. I don't see any drama in their appearance here, in Bulgaria."