Bulgaria has approved two targeted sanctions exemptions for Russia covering specific nuclear activities. The measures relate to maintenance-related work at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant and preservation activities for equipment stored at the unfinished Belene project. The exemptions keep narrowly defined Russian-linked supply and technical channels available for those activities while sanctions remain in force elsewhere.
Kozloduy maintenance exemption and import of Russian iron and steel
The Kozloduy exemption allows specified Russian iron and steel products to be imported under an existing contract until it expires. The government said some equipment at the operating nuclear site remains based on Russian technology. As a result, certain replacement components and specialised materials are difficult to obtain from alternative suppliers.
Kozloduy has two operating reactors that provide more than one-third of Bulgaria’s annual electricity generation. Continued access to necessary components is therefore described as important for plant reliability and nuclear safety. The exemption is tied to the availability of the specified products under the existing contractual arrangement.
Belene preservation exemption for Atomstroyexport supervision
A second exemption will allow state-owned National Electricity Company (NEK) to arrange a new contract with the Bulgarian branch of Atomstroyexport. The contract would cover supervision of preservation work on equipment manufactured for the planned Belene 1 and Belene 2 units. The equipment requires periodic preservation to remain within manufacturers’ technical specifications.
The current supervision contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026. Russian manufacturers of the long-lead equipment have authorised Atomstroyexport to supervise the preservation work, while specialists from the original manufacturers must also participate. NEK plans to procure the service under Bulgaria’s Public Procurement Act.
The government said the sanctions exemption removes a legal obstacle that would otherwise prevent the new contract from being concluded. The arrangement is limited to preservation supervision for equipment associated with the planned Belene units.
