The cost of generating electricity at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant is expected to remain unchanged for the next two to three years, as the plant has sufficient nuclear fuel reserves, Director General Ivan Andreev told journalists on the sidelines of the Bulgarian Atomic Forum (BULATOM), an international conference on nuclear issues that took place near Varna on Wednesday, according to BTA, as reported by Agerpres.
The cost of nuclear fuel is the main factor determining production costs, while other expenses are relatively insignificant, Andreev said. He added, however, that the plant faces difficulties related to the extended lifetime of the reactors, sanctions and increasingly complex supply chains.
He stressed that Bulgaria was the first EU member state to diversify its nuclear fuel supply and said efforts were being made to diversify the supply of key spare parts.
Asked about the construction of units 7 and 8, Andreev explained that the project is progressing according to plan, under the leadership of Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC, the nuclear power plant providing specialist and logistical support.
Andreev recalled a previous analysis by Bulgarian Energy Holding, which indicated the number of generating units needed to maintain the stability of the power system, and argued that the plants in the Maritsa basin should be preserved.
He also indicated that renewing the workforce is a major challenge, noting that many employees were approaching retirement age and that training programs were in place to prepare their successors.
Another key issue is spent fuel management. Andreev said that the current wet storage facilities will be sufficient until 2035, while procedures for the delivery of dry storage containers and the expansion of dry storage capacity are ongoing.
According to Andreev, nuclear energy is becoming increasingly important worldwide, while the Kozloduy nuclear power plant remains a cornerstone of Bulgaria’s energy sector. He described units 7 and 8 as an investment in the country’s future competitiveness.
News selected by BTA for promotion and publication by AGERPRES, without intervention in the text, in accordance with the collaboration agreement between the agencies.