Unit 5 of Bulgaria’s only nuclear power plant, Kozloduy, has resumed operations and is now supplying electricity to the national grid following the completion of its scheduled annual maintenance on 11 June. The unit was restarted after a comprehensive inspection and receiving approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
The maintenance period, which began on 5 May, included a full range of routine servicing activities carried out according to plan. In addition to standard procedures, several upgrades were implemented to enhance safety and support the unit’s long-term operational viability.
A significant milestone during this maintenance cycle was the introduction of fresh RWFA fuel assemblies supplied by Westinghouse. This marked the first time this specific fuel type was used in Unit 5, reflecting a broader strategy to diversify the plant’s nuclear fuel sources. Officials at NPP Kozloduy noted the unit’s stable performance following the fuel replacement as strong evidence that the transition to alternative fuel types has been successful and reliable, underscoring the effectiveness of their ongoing energy diversification efforts.
