Framatom will supply the sixth unit of the Kozloduy NPP with fresh nuclear fuel in the next 10 years

Kozloduy NPP and Framatom initiated the agreement for the supply of fresh nuclear fuel for the sixth unit of Kozloduy NPP. This is the second contract after the one signed on December 22 with the American "Westinghouse", which concerned supplies for the fifth unit of the nuclear power plant.

The term of the contract is 10 years, and the price parameters are competitive with the current contract for the supply of Russian nuclear fuel, explained the Acting Minister of Energy Rosen Hristov after the signing. The first deliveries are expected to take place in 2025.

As the minister explained, the two contracts are very complex, but they are different in their very structure, since different steps must be taken on them. For example, Westinghouse will have to go through the process of achieving fuel licensing and the corresponding steps to in-reactor control. At Framatom, the challenge is related to supply logistics, pricing and insurance schemes, etc. On the other hand, the French company has an advantage with a fuel license and an internal reactor control system. "That's why the type of contract is a little different," said Minister Hristov.

"With the signing of this agreement, we are setting a stage for the diversification of fresh nuclear fuel supplies for the Kozloduy NPP." I want to assure you that the approach to this program is purely pragmatic, without putting any feelings and sentiments into it. Just a pragmatic approach based on the real state of affairs. The end of each period is the beginning of another, so we and the Framatom partners will make maximum efforts according to the goals and deadlines specified in this agreement to reach the final contract, after which, I am convinced, the two NPP units "Kozloduy" will work long, reliably and without interruption for the next ten, and maybe even more years," said the executive director of the nuclear power plant, Georgi Kirkov.

"We are extremely proud." This is how Lionel Geff, senior vice president in charge of Framatom's fuel, described the signing of today's contract, stressing that the company's fuel is already licensed.

"Framatom is a French company that supplies fuel on the territory of Europe, and we are happy that we will also supply fuel to the Kozloduy NPP." Our fuel is already licensed. Our teams also work on the territory of Europe and are extremely proud and happy to be able to assist with all VVER type reactors located on the territory of our continent and in particular at the Kozloduy NPP. "We know that the plant is extremely important for the country, especially for the production of energy that is emission-free," added Lionel Geff.

The Minister of Energy, Rosen Hristov, for his part, once again emphasized the achievement of diversification in the supply of fresh nuclear fuel for the Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

"Today is an important day in the history of Kozloduy NPP. With today's signing of the agreement, we de facto achieve full diversification of fresh nuclear fuel supplies. Diversification does not mean replacing one single supplier with another single supplier. Diversification means replacing at least two suppliers operating in a competitive environment. In this way, we aim for security - of operation, supplies and economic effect. Similar to gas supplies, we fulfill the conditions of diversification in nuclear fuel as well," he pointed out.

Minister Hristov did not fail to once again draw attention to the difficulties with the supply of fresh nuclear fuel at the European level. He did not miss the issue of spent nuclear fuel. According to him, our country will look for an opportunity to ensure the return of the nuclear fuel, adding that this is an issue that awaits a solution at the European level. We remind you that the current European guidelines are for geographical storage, but so far no real results have been achieved. At the same time, according to the minister, our country has the possibility of 50-year storage, but it will also think about the issue of expanding the current storage.

The expectation is that the two contracts (with Westinghouse and Framatom) will be finalized possibly in February 2023 or at least by the middle of next year. Thus, from 2024, the fifth unit of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant will operate with Westinghouse fuel, and from 2025, the sixth unit will be fueled with Framatom fuel.

As the Deputy Minister of Energy Elenko Bozhkov specified, currently the fifth unit of the plant can operate with Russian nuclear fuel until 2024, and the sixth unit - until 2027.