EU presses ahead with December signing of divisive Mercosur deal
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Bulgaria intends to position itself as a regional leader in small modular reactors (SMRs), leveraging its favourable geographical location and diverse energy mix, Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov said at a round table on energy transition and sustainable development in Sofia, the Ministry of Energy reported on September 30.
Stankov said that Bulgaria has strong potential to become one of the first countries in Southeastern Europe to explore and deploy SMRs. He noted that while the technology was considered “exotic” in 2015, it is now central to the country’s long-term energy strategy.
The Ministry of Energy will initiate talks with developers of small nuclear reactors after signing a cooperation agreement with the United States to conduct preliminary studies on their deployment, the ministry statement said.
On September 16, Stankov signed a joint statement with United States Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, under which one of the 12 US Department of Energy laboratories will support Bulgaria in selecting a site for SMR deployment. Stankov highlighted that other European states, including the Czech Republic and Poland, have also declared interest in SMRs. He cited Canada as an example, noting his recent visit to Ontario, where four SMR projects are under construction.
Just north of Bulgaria, in Romania, Nuclearelectrica is already developing an SMR project under a similar civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed with the US.
Bulgaria has scrapped plans to build a second nuclear power plant at Belene, but is expanding the existing Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.
The Bulgarian minister stressed that continuous investment in new energy capacities is crucial for Bulgaria’s energy security. He identified the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant as the most important project for the national economy and a top government priority. According to Stankov, banks from the United States and South Korea have expressed willingness to finance the development, and a financial adviser has already been appointed.
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