By the end of 2026, the contract for the construction of units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP must be signed, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov at the opening of the International Nuclear Conference "Bulgarian Nuclear Energy - National, Regional and Global Energy Security".
"I am sure that Bulgaria will be the first country in the EU to have an operating Westinghouse AR 1000 reactor," the minister said. According to him, if the project schedules for units 7 and 8 are strictly adhered to, the construction contract should be concluded next year, and in 2033, 2034 at the latest, the first reactor should be put into operation. The other is expected to start operating within the next two years.
The final cost of the project for reactors 7 and 8 will be presented by the end of this month, Stankov also said. He specified that it will be announced to the public immediately.
The minister made a political commitment to the participants in the forum that the project will be brought to completion. According to him, the money needed for state financing will be provided, which will be between 20 and 30 percent. In the meantime, talks are underway with international institutions for the remaining part of the investment.
Stankov pointed out that active work is also being done to secure personnel for the energy sector. He stressed that during the construction of units 7 and 8, up to 10,000 people will have to work at the site at peak times. Stankov pointed out that, together with the Ministry of Education, programs have been developed to stimulate young people to choose and study in specialties related to energy.
Regarding the Belene NPP project, the minister said that various options for the future of the reactors are being discussed. According to him, the easiest one is to sell them, but currently there is a kind of renaissance of nuclear energy in Europe and it is appropriate to consider other options.
The minister recalled that the liberalization of the retail market in our country was postponed for an indefinite period (by a decision of the parliament - editor's note). The state will continue to ensure that households continue to receive energy at the lowest price in Europe, Stankov pointed out. He specified that the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) is expected to launch the procedure for setting electricity prices from July 1, 2025 to June 30 next year at any moment. According to him, liberalization of the retail market will be possible again after the completion of long-term projects for the energy efficiency of multi-family buildings in the country. He added that price offers on the free market would also be a factor in this.
Speaking of the Maritsa complex, Stankov pointed out that it is structurally decisive for the Bulgarian energy sector, as it provided about 35 percent of energy last year. There is no European document that tells us that the power plants must be closed by a certain year, the minister pointed out and added that Bulgaria must determine its energy mix itself.