Bulgaria is exploring the possibility of burying spent nuclear fuel in Finland

Bulgaria is exploring the possibility of burying spent nuclear fuel from the Kozloduy NPP in Finland. This was said by the Acting Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov during his last hearing in the National Assembly regarding the construction of repositories for the permanent storage of spent nuclear fuel from the Kozloduy NPP and hazardous radioactive waste on the territory of Bulgaria.

In all countries that develop nuclear energy, projects related to the burial of spent nuclear fuel, as well as the deep geological storage of highly radioactive waste, are being worked on. This is also a requirement for the member states of the European Union, added the official minister quoted by BTA.

The Ministry of Energy is studying the experience of several countries that are already in a more advanced phase than Bulgaria in this process, namely Finland, Sweden, France and Switzerland. "What we have as expectations is that the first country that will have already built such a repository for deep storage of nuclear fuel will be Finland. It is on this basis, if there is an agreement concluded, ratified by the National Assembly, for storage in other countries, this possibility will be explored and will be part of the final Nuclear Fuel Development Strategy," said Vladimir Malinov. He added that Bulgaria is actively working on the topic, including at the level of international organizations for nuclear energy, in order to look for this additional possibility.

Earlier, during the hearing in the parliament, Malinov said that at the moment only preliminary studies of the possibilities of building a nuclear waste repository are being carried out in Bulgaria with a view to clarifying the feasibility of such a project and the necessary conditions. According to him, the conclusion of these studies is that Bulgaria generally has suitable geological conditions in Northern Bulgaria - in the marl massifs of the Mysian plate, for the construction of a repository for geological burial.

In the sample plan-schedule in the draft of the updated strategy, the construction of a repository in Bulgaria for geological burial by 2050 is set, the acting minister pointed out. He noted that without a plan with detailed steps to put into operation by 2050 facilities for the disposal of highly radioactive waste, any proposal to build a new nuclear power cannot be recognized as a sustainable investment project according to several European documents.

Informing the public and local authorities, preparing investment proposals, as well as carrying out an environmental impact assessment, are part of the activities that are set to be implemented by 2033 according to the draft updated strategy. Their implementation would begin if the Council of Ministers adopts a decision on the construction of a deep geological repository for storing nuclear waste, explained the Acting Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov.