Minister Malinov: Cooperation with USTDA is key to the success of our energy policies
In the presence of Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten and other officials at the Council of Ministers agreements on feasibility studies for advanced technologies for small modular reactors and for deep borehole disposal of spent nuclear fuel have been signed.
“Our cooperation with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is a key factor in the success of our policies to provide predictable and affordable energy to ensure the prosperity of the population and the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy.” That is what Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said during a ceremony on the signing of grant agreements between Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD and State Enterprise Radioactive Waste on the one hand and USTDA on the other. The agreements were signed at the Council of Ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten and other officials. USTDA will finance feasibility studies in Bulgaria for advanced technologies for small modular reactors and for the deep borehole disposal of spent nuclear fuel.
“We are confident that our nuclear programme must continue to meet the highest standards of safety, security, reliability and efficiency. The expertise and undeniable professionalism of our USTDA partners are invaluable capital in our efforts to meet these challenges,“ Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said during the signing ceremony. In his words, USTDA's grant for small modular reactor studies and for deep borehole disposal of spent nuclear fuel guarantees the success of our government's energy policies and the introduction of state-of-the-art technologies in the sector.
“We greatly appreciate our partnership with Bulgarian companies in the energy sector and we are strongly committed to deepening it in the future,” the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten underlined at the ceremony. He emphasized that the agreements signed today provide an exceptional opportunity for Bulgaria and the U.S. to continue their cooperation in the deployment of state-of-the-art technologies in the sector.
“USTDA supports infrastructure development in partner countries such as Bulgaria, which will allow for attracting and deploying most advanced technologies in the relevant sectors. Such an example is Bulgarian nuclear energy,” the Director of USTDA, Ms Enoh T. Ebong. According to Ms. Ebong, security in nuclear energy is a shared priority of the Bulgarian and the U.S. governments, whose work together ensures that the sector develops in accordance with the highest standards and provides modern solutions.
With the feasibility study on advanced technologies for small modular reactors, BEH EAD will receive a detailed analysis of different models of SMRs. The study will examine and assess the possibilities for the deployment of new, innovative technologies characterized by flexibility and mobility. It is in line with one of the government's main priorities, the development of nuclear energy, which provides clean, non-discriminatory production at competitive prices. The study is expected to be completed within 12 months.
The feasibility study for deep borehole disposal of spent nuclear fuel must answer the question whether there are potential possibilities in Bulgaria for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high radioactive waste in deep geological drilling, such as the current world practice is.