„Security is a main characteristic of the energy system. 41% of Bulgaria's electricity last year was produced from nuclear energy at the „Kozloduy“ NPP, and together with energy from renewable sources, our country achieves over 70% low-emission energy mix“. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Energy Georgi Samandov during the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the master's program in nuclear security at the UNWE, which was held under the patronage of the ministry.
Deputy Minister Samandov noted that the Council of Ministers has committed to a special program aimed at stimulating human potential in the energy sector. In the next few years, the state will invest 4 million euros in various educational programs and initiatives to prepare a new generation of experts ready to work with the complex technologies of the future.
He also stressed the importance of Bulgaria developing and building on its 50-year experience in the operation of nuclear facilities. The projects for units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP are an example of this ambition, with the goal of our country being among the first in Europe with a working reactor with Westinghouse's AP 1000 technology. In parallel, the possibilities for deploying small modular reactors are being studied, Samandov emphasized in his speech.
“All plans and technologies make sense only if we have prepared people. They are our most valuable resource“, said the deputy minister. According to him, the Ministry of Energy will continue to actively support university programs that develop the new generation of energy specialists - the people who will guarantee the security and stability of the energy system in the coming decades.