The purchase of reactors for Khmelnytsky NPP from Bulgaria is on hold: the problem is the price
15 April 2025 14:14
Negotiations with Bulgaria on the purchase of equipment for the completion of the third and fourth power units of Khmelnytsky NPP are still ongoing, as the Bulgarian side is trying to revise the price of the deal. This was reported by the specialized publication Energoreforma, citing a statement by MP Andriy Zhupanin, according to
According to the MP, the management of NNEGC Energoatom told the representatives of the relevant parliamentary committee about the course of negotiations with the Bulgarian side during a recent joint working visit to the Khmelnytsky NPP.
“The Bulgarians are not signing the agreement yet, and one of the reasons is allegedly that the Bulgarians decided to revise the price. The Bulgarian side comes up with a proposal of almost $700 million, although our side insists on $600 million,” Andriy Zhupanin said on his Youtube channel in the Energy Weekdays program.
According to him, Energoatom also informed the MPs that it is 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.
Thus, as Andriy Zhupanin summarized, the final amount of the deal and the possibility of its installment still remain unclear.
Energoatom confirms the fact of discussing the procurement terms
In his commentary to Energoreforma, Energoatom CEO Petro Kotin noted that the Bulgarian side is still discussing financing, equipment delivery and other aspects.
“The Bulgarian side, in turn, is consulting with the government and parliament. As soon as all the details are agreed upon and the necessary procedures are completed, we will sign the final agreement,” Kotin said.
When asked by Energoreforma what is the current price of the equipment purchase, the Head of Naftogaz explained that “the Bulgarian side annually reassesses this equipment”.
“The Bulgarian Parliament has outlined the amount that cannot be less than $600 million. Our position is simple: we propose that this equipment should be evaluated by an independent auditor who is among the four largest and best. This will ensure maximum transparency and objectivity,” emphasized the head of Energoatom.
What else is being done to complete the completion of Khmelnytskyi NPP
Petro Kotin said that Sens Bank, with which Energoatom agreed on March 26 to cooperate in providing financing for the purchase of equipment for the Bulgarian Belene NPP, is continuing to work on creating a banking consortium to attract other banks to provide financing for the purchase.
In addition, according to the head of Energoatom, the company is creating an association of Ukrainian enterprises that will be technically interested in the development of nuclear power units.
“This will be the infrastructure that will supply us with Ukrainian-made equipment,” explained Petro Kotin.
As a reminder, in mid-March, a law came into force that allows NNEGC Energoatom to enter into an agreement with the Bulgarian state energy company EAD to purchase nuclear reactor vessels needed for the construction of Khmelnytsky NPP Units 3 and 4.
Several members of the Golos faction have long opposed the completion of the KhNPP. On the eve of the parliament’s consideration of the law, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported that, at his request, the NABU had opened proceedings against Energoatom. The politicians’ accusations were that Energoatom allegedly “embezzled funds in the period of 2024-2025.
Instead, Energoatom emphasizes that the completion of power units 3 and 4 at the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant is not only a strategic step towards Ukraine’s energy independence, but also a significant contribution to the development of the region’s economy and the country as a whole.
As you know, Energoatom plans to complete the construction of two VVER-1000 power units, for which Bulgarian reactors are being purchased, and to build two more powerful power units using the American AP1000 technology, which will be able to produce up to 1200 MW. If these plans are implemented, the total capacity of Khmelnytsky NPP will exceed 6,000 MW, and it will become the largest in Europe.
