Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov has announced that Bulgaria will not sell the two nuclear reactors intended for the Belene nuclear power plant. Following discussions with members of the Joint Governance Council and GERB party leader Boyko Borissov, a consensus was reached to retain the reactors, which are considered strategic assets crucial to the country’s energy independence.
Zafirov emphasized that the Belene equipment is not for sale and will remain a part of Bulgaria’s long-term energy strategy. In 2023, Bulgaria entered preliminary talks with Ukraine about a possible deal involving the reactors. Ukraine had shown interest in using the Russian-made units to expand its Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant. The reported asking price was approximately 1 billion euros for the two reactors.
However, those discussions have since been shelved. The decision to hold onto the reactors highlights Bulgaria’s intention to prioritize domestic energy security and maintain control over key energy infrastructure.
