Minister Stankov: The price for units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP should be clear by the end of June

The price for units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP should be clear by the end of June. This was shared by the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov to journalists on the sidelines of the International Nuclear Conference "Bulgarian Nuclear Energy - National, Regional and Global Energy Security", which is taking place in Riviera, near Varna. From the words of the Minister of Energy it became clear that the price of the two units is not expected to exceed the amount of 14-16 billion (the currency was not specified). During the conversation it became clear that it is planned to receive 2.5 billion leva from the budget by September. in BEH, some of which will be directed in the form of capital to the Kozloduy NPP New Capacity".

Minister Stankov specified that talks are continuing with the American Eximbank and the Korean Export Bank to secure financing for the two new nuclear units in Kozloduy. The expectation is that the financing will be in a ratio of at least 70 to 30 percent. "My expectation is that state financing will be within 20 to 30 percent, and the rest will be attracted," said the energy minister. He also confirmed that there will be a state guarantee, giving an example of securing the work of the company "Kozloduy NPP-New Capacity" at the moment.

"These are naturally also positive signals to our partners", he said.

Zhecho Stankov confirmed the intention to sign the final investment decision and the so-called IPC contract with the builder next year, so that the actual work on the construction of the future nuclear power plant can begin.

The energy minister also stated that our country has expressed to the European Commission its desire for state aid in relation to new nuclear capacities. "It is important that we receive it so that the state can make the final investment decision and the project company can continue under the contract for engineering and construction of the plant. This will make the process irreversible. Colleagues from the Kozloduy New Capacity NPP are in detailed talks not only with the EC, but also with colleagues from Poland, who have embarked on this path to build a similar type of capacity. This is necessary so that we can find, so to speak, synergy, and also so that these processes can take place in the shortest possible time. Usually, a state aid procedure, depending on how complex it is, takes from 12 to 18 months,” Stankov added.

The Minister of Energy also focused on the possibility of utilizing the electricity produced within our country in order to create useful, additional value. From this point of view, he drew attention to the importance of attracting investors and building Data centers (data processing centers). “What an investor is looking for - energy security, physical security. Thirdly - the ability to maintain the cooling channels (in the Data centers).

“Bulgaria has the entire portfolio - free electricity, which it can provide with physical security and the ability to cool, and I think we are a natural center of attraction,” said Stankov, recalling the enormous capacity that the electricity and gas operator has. "We have our own optical data transmission networks, so we can offer a comprehensive service to every investor. On behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Donchev, we are specifically committed to having a team that, as they say, "holds the investors' hand" and guides them through all procedures with reduced administrative burden in order to implement them as quickly as possible," explained Zhecho Stankov.

In this regard, he also explained the expectations for using the equipment for the Belene NPP.

"After it was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Zafirov, we expect a decision from the Ministry of Energy specifically at the Joint Management Board and, if necessary, at the National Assembly. At the Ministry of Energy, we are prepared for all options. We are of the opinion that indeed, the easiest option is to sell the equipment, but before that we need to explore all possible options, including the interest regarding Artificial Intelligence Centers, Data Centers. Because indeed, we spoke during our meetings in the US with such investors. In most places where they want to invest, they are promised energy for up to 10-12 years. Bulgaria is ready to do this much faster," said the Minister of Energy, emphasizing that our country must be sure that it will use this equipment in the best way. At the same time, in response to a question about what our country's capabilities are from the point of view of the fact that the reactors are Russian-made, and we are designated as an "enemy state," Zhecho Stankov explained that this is a "technical issue," i.e., of technical expertise, and the ministry only implements the decisions of the National Assembly, which determines the country's energy policy.

The Minister of Energy, in response to a question, stated that our country will request a derogation from the EC in the part concerning nuclear energy in the Roadmap, for the rejection of Russian energy fuels, which is to be officially presented on June 16.

"In the nuclear energy part, it is extremely important to guarantee the security of the operating plant, the operation of units 5 and 6 of the Kozloduy NPP." You know that in the primary circuit, where a large part of the safety-related equipment is located, it can only be supplied by a certain manufacturer from the Russian Federation. There is a certain procedure before the EC and we can take advantage of the derogation,” he said. According to Minister Zhecho Stankov, the approach that should be chosen regarding nuclear energy should not in any way endanger the operation of any reactor in European countries. As is known, nuclear power plants in a large part of the EU countries (despite the fuel change), especially in the former socialist countries, operate with nuclear equipment made in Russia and some of it still does not have a sufficiently well-tested analogue.