American nuclear fuel will power the sixth unit of the Kozloduy NPP "from the beginning of next year." This was announced at a prestigious scientific conference on nuclear energy held in Nessebar, bringing together experts from leading global enriched uranium producers.
The decision is part of Bulgaria"s strategy for diversifying nuclear fuel supplies, aiming to reduce dependence on a single supplier.
The first six cassettes, produced by "Westinghouse", will be installed in the reactor to conduct in-depth tests and assess their impact on electricity production.
According to Krassimir Kamenov from the Kozloduy NPP, "corresponding safety analyses are currently being prepared for this purpose. During the first campaign, all neutron-physical indicators were within their success criteria. During the second campaign, the successful operation of the fuel continues."
This is significant progress, given that until last year Bulgaria relied entirely on Russian nuclear fuel.
The successful integration of American fuel into the fifth unit of the Kozloduy NPP last year, where it is used in parallel with Russian fuel, gave confidence for a similar application in the sixth unit.
The transition to diversified sources is key to the country"s energy security and marks an important step in reducing energy dependence on Russia.
In addition to American fuel, Bulgaria expects the first deliveries of French nuclear fuel at the end of 2026. "The cassettes are the same, the technology is the same, but it is produced here in Europe", commented Lionel Gef, vice president of "Framatome", emphasizing the European origin of the fuel and the intention for broader integration into European energy networks.
However, the development also raises important personnel issues.
The planned construction of the seventh and eighth units of the Kozloduy NPP will require a significant increase in qualified personnel. "Hundreds of people will be needed, and therefore a strategy, a program on how these people will be trained, is necessary", says Prof. Dimitar Tonev, director of the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
The need for investment in education and training of specialists in the field of nuclear energy is essential for the successful implementation of the projects to expand the Kozloduy NPP.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nataliya Kiselova, expressed optimism about the future development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria, hoping that "the two new nuclear reactors will not be the last and in fact science in Bulgaria will guarantee the possibilities for such development."
Her words strengthened expectations for further expansion of the capacity of the Kozloduy NPP and the establishment of Bulgaria as a regional leader in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
The hall, filled with lively whispers and anticipation, underlined the importance of the event.
The discussions held in Nessebar clearly demonstrated the ambition for a secure and sustainable energy future for Bulgaria.