The Bulgarian project company, NPP Kozloduy-New Build, which is overseeing the construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, has signed a significant engineering contract with a consortium led by US-based Westinghouse Electric and South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction. This contract marks a key milestone in Bulgaria’s efforts to expand its nuclear energy capacity.
According to a statement from the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, the agreement ensures that the project will proceed within the previously established timelines and budget. Caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov emphasized that there will be a firm commitment to adhering to the schedule and financing of the new units over the next 12 months, calling the contract signing a decisive step in making the project irreversible.
The first of the new units, incorporating Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology, is expected to become operational before 2035. Westinghouse will serve as the overall design authority, while responsibilities for individual plant systems and buildings will be delegated to other entities.
The engineering contract follows the extension of a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) agreement signed last month between NPP Kozloduy-New Build and Westinghouse. This agreement, which assesses Bulgaria’s industry and infrastructure to support the construction of the two new reactors, underscores the ongoing commitment of both companies to meet the timeline established by the Bulgarian National Assembly in December 2023.
The addition of two AP1000 Generation III+ reactors at Kozloduy is a significant step in Bulgaria’s plans to strengthen its nuclear energy sector and secure a stable, long-term energy future.
