Energy Minister Traycho Traykov discussed the progress on the project to build new capacities at the Kozloduy NPP with representatives of the American company Westinghouse; Joel Ecker - Senior Vice President for Projects in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, and Oscar Pratt - Deputy Director of the Kozloduy AP1000 project. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Head of the Policy and Economics Department at the US Embassy in Sofia, Jen Bauer.
Minister Traykov noted the importance of the large-scale energy project both in the context of the diversification and modernization of the nuclear sector in our country, and in view of the growing consumption of electricity. He noted some controversial steps in the project implementation process and called for an acceleration of the schedule of activities necessary for its effective implementation.
“Expectations for the project are high. Given the need for broad public support, it is essential that it be developed effectively and transparently“, said Minister Traykov. He stressed that as a country with many years of experience in nuclear energy, Bulgaria wishes to maintain its advantage in the implementation time against the background of the changed energy vision of major EU countries.
Joel Ecker noted the progress achieved so far, with the main priority remaining the creation of an effective implementation framework and maintaining a clear and sustainable implementation schedule. According to him, efforts are aimed at creating a fully approved European version of AP1000, which will provide the country with a significantly lower risk profile in licensing and construction.