The Bulgarian government has enacted measures to facilitate the import of original spare parts from Russia, aimed at sustaining the operational integrity of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. This decision, sanctioned by the Council of Ministers, is crucial for ensuring ongoing maintenance and minimizing technical disruptions at the facility.
This regulatory move follows challenges encountered with a key component in Unit 6, where persistent issues related to membrane equipment had been reported over several months. Caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov confirmed that recent interventions have rectified the malfunction, allowing Unit 6 to resume operations at full capacity without further complications.
In response to these operational challenges, authorities have instituted a dedicated review body tasked with examining both technical and procedural dimensions of the incident. Although the malfunction did not compromise safety protocols for personnel or the plant itself, it did lead to a decrease in electricity output and considerable financial repercussions. The outcomes of this investigation are anticipated to be released upon its completion.
The government’s latest decision is designed to ensure that planned maintenance and supply activities continue without disruption. Officials emphasize that this measure aims to avert similar technical issues in the future and uphold stable operations at Bulgaria’s sole nuclear facility.
The complications with Unit 6 first emerged late last year when it was temporarily taken offline as a precautionary step after detecting a fault in a protective membrane device within the turbine system. This shutdown, executed in mid-December, permitted necessary component replacements and mitigated potential further damage.
