Tsanko Bachiyski, head of the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA), announced that Unit 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant will be shut down for refueling and scheduled repairs on October 18. The shutdown comes in response to previous issues with the steam generator, which led to a preventive shutdown in June for repairs.
The BNRA has requested the development of a specialized program to enable the plant to detect defects before they occur. A special probe will be tested during the upcoming planned repairs to enhance early detection capabilities.
The preventive shutdown was initiated due to faults found in the oil system of the 24/400kV unit transformer, which is part of the non-nuclear segment of the unit, as well as signs of heat carrier leakage in the steam generator. It has been confirmed that the defect is localized to a specific area, prompting the BNRA to seek a clear process for resolving this issue as part of the upcoming maintenance work.
Currently, other problems are being effectively identified and addressed using similar probes. The BNRA reassured that the leak falls within acceptable technological regulations and does not pose any threat to the environment or public safety. The preventive measure was taken to avert any escalation of the issue.
Bachiyski emphasized that the steam generator will not be replaced, as it has sufficient resources. He is optimistic that a definitive solution to the problem will be achieved within one to two years, and that the condition of the tubes will be assessed proactively to prevent future leaks.
