The construction of the 7th and 8th units of the “Kozloduy” is a project of national importance for Bulgaria and should lead to a strengthening of the bilateral partnership with the Republic of Korea in high technologies and investments. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a meeting today with the management of Hyundai E&C, the press office of the head of state announced.
Earlier today, the Korean company signed a memorandum of cooperation and understanding with "Glavbolgarstroy" in Sofia, including the construction of the new units at the "Kozloduy" NPP. During the meeting in the presidential institution, the head of state asked a number of questions about the deadlines for the construction of the new blocks, about the presence of a clear distribution of responsibilities between the Bulgarian state and the “Hyundai” companies. and “Westinghouse”, about the ways of financing the project, how the spent nuclear fuel will be handled and others.
„Building new nuclear units is a serious challenge, but we have two important success factors – the Bulgarian expertise and experience in the safe and reliable exploitation of nuclear power for half a century and your expertise in this field," the president pointed out. Therefore, the head of state called upon the construction of the new capacities at the Kozloduy NPP. to include more proven Bulgarian companies and specialists in the field of nuclear energy.
The partnership with the Republic of Korea in the field of nuclear energy is an opportunity for Bulgaria to develop at a higher technological level, as well as for a more active bilateral scientific exchange, so that in the future our country will be autonomous in the technical operation of the new units, he pointed out Rumen Radev. The head of state also expressed Bulgaria's interest in the project being completed on time and with clear financial parameters, as world practice shows that the construction of nuclear power plants takes many years and often the financial parameters change over time.
The management of Hyundai E&C thanked for the opportunity to discuss the prospects for the Bulgarian nuclear energy industry with the head of state and emphasized that the project to build the 7th and 8th units of the “Kozloduy” foresees that they will be completed in the period 2033-2035. The company also emphasized that they are working to include the project in the set time and budget frameworks and that it has a strategic importance for “Hyundai”, the press office also indicated.< br />
On the subject of the construction of the 7th and 8th blocks of the "Kozloduy" NPP; Acting Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov stated earlier today that Bulgaria will insist to the greatest extent possible that the terms for the construction of the two blocks be shortened and that they be put into operation even earlier than what is foreseen in the Road map approved by the National Assembly.
However, our country will attach great importance to security during construction, as well as to the safe operation of the blocks in the future. Regarding the financing of the project, our country is working on several possible financing models. One is for the Bulgarian state to participate with about 30 percent, and the remaining 70 percent to be provided with loan financing, added Malinov.