Minister Vladimir Malinov: The construction of new nuclear capacities at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant has now become irreversible

“Developing nuclear energy in strict compliance with international safety and environmental standards is one of the government's top priorities. Our consistent efforts and active work together with our partners from Westinghouse and Hyundai to fulfill this priority have led to today's result of signing an engineering services contract for the new builds. This is a key step that makes the process irreversible." That is what Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said at the ceremony of signing an engineering contract to build new nuclear capacities on site 2 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.

The signing ceremony of the engineering contract between “Kozloduy-New Builds” EAD and Westinghouse Consortium was attended by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria H. E. Kenneth Merten, the Head of Mission of the Republic of Korea Embassy in Bulgaria Ms. JiI Cho and other officials.

While attending the ceremony, Minister Malinov also underlined that as a result of today's signing we will have a clear commitment to schedule and finance new capacities within the next 12 months.

“Bulgaria has 50 years of experience in the safe and secure operation of nuclear capacity. Today we build on this experience,“ Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said. In his words, building new nuclear capacity in the country is key to the supply of secure and reliable energy to Bulgarian consumers and the whole region of Southeast Europe. “Our work with the undisputed leaders Westinghouse and Hyundai on this project is a serious step towards meeting one of the government's top priorities related to the development of nuclear energy,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

The signing of the contract is a major milestone in the implementation of the project to build new nuclear capacity in Bulgaria. The joint work of the two global companies, Westinghouse and Hyundai, to provide an integrated service in Bulgaria will ensure that the project is carried out within the pre-set timeframe and budget.

“The U.S.A. supports Bulgaria's long-term efforts to provide sustainable and secure energy for consumers. The building of two new units at the Kozloduy site using the state-of-the-art AP-1000 technology is vital to positioning the country as a secure and reliable partner in providing clean energy for the Southeast European region,” the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten pointed out.

“This is a key project for both Bulgaria's energy future and the partnership between Bulgaria and Korea. The new capacities will provide a reliable source of electricity for the country's energy mix and an opportunity for energy independence, diversification and security of supply“, highlighted Ms. Ji I Cho ,Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bulgaria.