Nuclear sector appeals: Bulgaria urgently adopts energy strategy to ensure long-term stability of our nuclear power plants

The Bulgarian Atomic Forum – Bulatom has issued a categorical position on the vital need to adopt a clear, long-term national policy for the development of nuclear energy. The association warns that despite some steps taken, the lack of a comprehensive strategy threatens the country's energy security and stability in the decades ahead.

In 2022, the organization appealed for the formation of a national policy, taking into account the complex and long-term nature of nuclear energy facilities. Since this year, concrete actions have been taken to accelerate the construction of Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy NPP on the approved site No. 2, which has been welcomed as replacement capacities for the phased-out solid fuel power plants.

However, despite this progress, Bulatom emphasizes that these actions are being implemented more on a project basis than as part of a declared and approved policy for the sustainable development of nuclear energy. The fact that there is no solution to preserve the share of nuclear energy as an alternative during the final decommissioning of Units 5 and 6 of the Kozloduy NPP is worrying.

The forum’s analyses show that in order to preserve the long-term role of nuclear energy as a base load, it is imperative to promptly build another new nuclear capacity. This additional capacity is needed to replace Units 5 and 6 after their operational life has been exhausted.

The NGO insists that this goal be included in the long-term energy strategy independently and in parallel with the successful implementation of the project for units 7 and 8, which are expected to be commissioned by 2040. Achieving these two goals is of key importance in order to maintain the balance in the structure and management of electricity generation capacities based on 4,000 MW of nuclear capacity after 2050.

The timely launch of a second project would allow for maximum utilization of the already established supply and service chains for the construction of units 7 and 8. This would ensure continuity and long-term prospects for local companies, as well as a high degree of localization in the process. In addition, the provision of replacement nuclear capacities is critical for maintaining critical energy infrastructure with rotating inertial masses, which is vital for the static and dynamic stability of the country's electricity system.

Experience shows that the structuring of the relevant project organization must be carried out on time, and the principal decision to build a new nuclear capacity must be made well before 2027. BULATOM continues its activities for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and once again raises the issue of the urgency of developing and adopting a long-term energy strategy.

Such a strategy is necessary to determine the prospects for the electricity sector after the resource of the current units is exhausted.

A clear strategy will define the place of nuclear energy, the priorities, deadlines and stages of building the necessary capacities. It will also allow for the update of strategies for human resources, spent fuel and radioactive waste management, as well as the preparation of the regulatory and administrative infrastructure for future small modular reactors (SMRs).

In conclusion, the position of the Bulgarian Atomic Forum emphasizes the categorical need for immediate action by the state to adopt a strategic document that would guarantee the future of nuclear energy and thus – the energy security and stability of Bulgaria until and after 2050.