The Bulgarian government does not want to sell nuclear reactors to Ukraine. The word belongs to the Parliament
16 April 08:49
Bulgaria will not sell two nuclear reactors of the Bulgarian Belene NPP to Ukraine, which the Ukrainian side intended to use for the completion of the Khmelnytsky NPP. This decision of the Bulgarian government was reported by ForbesBulgaria, citing a statement by Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Atanas Zafirov, according to
It is emphasized that this decision was supported by all government partners, including the leader of the Bulgarian center-right party Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), Boyko Borissov.
What explains this decision of the Bulgarian government?
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Atanas Zafirov explained the government’s decision by saying that Bulgaria needs to develop its own nuclear power industry, especially given the rising electricity prices in the world.
According to him, the sale of two nuclear reactors to Ukraine would call into question the implementation of another key project for Bulgaria’s energy sector – the construction of two new nuclear power units, after Kozloduy NPP-Nova Poshta officially signed a contract with the American consortium Westinghouse and the South Korean company Hyundai Engineering & Construction for the construction of units 7 and 8 at the end of last year.
According to Bulgarian media, a vote in parliament is still expected.
As you know, in mid-February, the Ukrainian parliament gave its consent to the purchase of two nuclear reactors from Bulgaria, which were to be used to complete the construction of Khmelnytsky NPP units 3 and 4. The deal was estimated to be worth about 600 million euros.
The price issue held back the process of signing the deal
The Bulgarian side was in no hurry to sign the agreement because it wanted to revise the price. This was reported recently by MP Andriy Zhupanin, citing a statement by Energoatom’s management. According to him, the Bulgarian side came up with a price proposal of almost $700 million, although the Ukrainian side insisted on $600 million.
Energoatom’s management also informed the MPs that they are asking the Bulgarian side for consent to installment payments, as the Ukrainian side does not need all the equipment at once, but needs it in parts.
In a commentary to Energoreform, Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin confirmed that the Bulgarian side was still discussing financing, equipment delivery, and other aspects. According to him, the Bulgarian side, for its part, is holding consultations with the Bulgarian government and parliament.
As you know, Energoatom planned to complete the construction of two power units at Khmelnytsky NPP, for which it tried to purchase Bulgarian reactors, as well as to build two more powerful power units using American AP1000 technology, which will be able to produce up to 1200 MW. If these plans are realized, the total capacity of Khmelnytsky NPP will exceed 6,000 MW, and it will become the largest in Europe.
