They put a ceiling on electricity prices The ceiling of market revenues of Kozloduy NPP from the sale of electricity will be BGN 180/MWh, the Council of Ministers decided. For electricity producers from coal-fired condensing plants, the current ceiling is BGN 350, increased by the average monthly price per ton of CO? emission allowances per MWh multiplied by 1.32, and for electricity producers from coal with added biomass fuel (solid or gaseous fuels of biomass) and/or waste and/or oil products and/or a combination of them - BGN 350 increased by the average monthly price multiplied by 0.9 per ton of CO? emission allowances, for one MWh. The income of electricity producers above these ceilings will be contributed to the Power System Security Fund and will be used to compensate businesses for high electricity prices.
Source: Trud (12.01.2023)

The parliament obliged the cabinet to build an AR-1000 reactor The parliament decided to oblige the caretaker government to conduct negotiations with the US government for the construction of a new nuclear power plant based on the Westinghouse company's AR-1000 technology and to take action by March 1 to start the construction of the reactor at the site designated for VI block of NPP "Kozloduy" site. It is also planned that the Council of Ministers will take all actions regarding the licensing of one more block - VIII, on the already licensed site for block VII, which can accommodate one more power, but according to the permits issued to it by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, they can only be the Russian one VVER technology, which will not be used because of Russia's war in Ukraine, and that of "Westinghouse".
Source: mediapool.bg (16.01.2023)

Ex-service minister joins BEH board, casts in Kozloduy NPP The former minister of energy Andrey Zhivkov, who was part of the offices of President Rumen Radev in 2021, has been appointed without competition as a member of the board of directors of the Bulgarian Energy Holding. This happened with the decision of the current Energy Minister Rosen Hristov, taken on January 19, but submitted for entry in the Commercial Register on January 23. Zhivkov has been formally appointed pending a competition procedure, taking the place of Zheko Zhekov - appointed in November 2021, when Zhivkov himself was acting energy minister. Minister Hristov has also decided on another change in the energy holding - in the place of appointment in May 2021, Stelian Koev has been replaced, pending the holding of a competition, by Ivo Ivanov. Meanwhile, on January 20, the old board of directors of BEH (Zhivkov and Todorov are not yet enrolled) decided to appoint a new management of Kozloduy NPP. It is clear from the documents that this is the result of held competitions.
Source: Capital (24.01.2023)

The official cabinet also changes the head of the project for a new reactor at "Kozloduy NPP" After changing the managements of "Bulgargaz" and "Kozloduy NPP", and his predecessor Andrey Zhivkov was appointed as the second executive director of BEH, Energy Minister Rosen Hristov now replaces the manager of "Kozloduy NPP - New Powers". It is a subsidiary of the nuclear power plant, which is responsible for the development of the 7th unit project, around which there has been serious movement in recent months and is expected to be launched this year with the participation of the American "Westinghouse". The previous director of the company, Lyuben Marinov, was replaced by Valentin Iliev, who comes from the nuclear power plant, but was at the head of this company in 2013-2014 during the Oresharski cabinet. The change has been submitted for entry in the Commercial Register.
Source: Capital (21.03.2023)

Kozloduy NPP will be restocked with Russian units because of the war in Ukraine The government approved an exception to European Union sanctions against Russian companies imposed because of Moscow's war in Ukraine. The goal is to enable the Kozloduy NPP to provide the necessary spare parts, materials and services for the annual scheduled repair of Block V starting in April. However, supplies of Russian parts and services will also be needed for the scheduled repair of Unit VI in the fall and in the following years, so work is underway to restock the nuclear plant with Russian spare parts in the event that alternative materials cannot be provided. The decision allowed a derogation from sanctions imposed by Brussels back in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea by Russia, specifically concerning materials with possible dual use that could be used for military use. The EU regulation, however, allows for exceptions for concluded enforcement of the restrictions, and this is the argument of the Council of Ministers.
Source: mediapool.bg (23.03.2023)

They sign an engineering contract with the American company "Westinghouse" The final signing of an engineering contract for the construction of two AP 1000 technology units with the American nuclear company "Westinghouse" at the site of the Kozloduy NPP is imminent, said Acting Deputy Minister of Energy Elenko Bozhkov. The intention with this contract is to arrange maximum participation of the Bulgarian industry in the construction of the two blocks and use of the existing infrastructure. For the construction of the 7th and 8th units at the Kozloduy NPP, an intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and the USA is pending. Before this agreement is signed, it must be notified by the European Commission, and after it is signed by the two governments, it must be ratified by the Bulgarian Parliament. The same engineering contract is to be signed with the French energy company "Electriques de France" (EDF) for the construction of two units of 1,000 megawatts each, using the existing Russian VVER-1000 equipment at the Belene site. Their completion with French conventional technology is pending. For this purpose, an intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and France will be signed.
Source: Trud (29.03.2023)

The Czech ZAT will supply a new management system for the Kozloduy NPP worth ˆ15.5 million Czech automation systems supplier ZAT has announced that it has signed a deal worth ˆ15.5 million to supply a control system to Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP. The new system will be delivered over the next three years. Kozloduy NPP operates two Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors with a capacity of 1000 MW each -  5 and 6 block. Their operating licenses expire in 2027 and 2029, respectively. Deliveries of the RRCS, along with assembly and rebuilding of the first unit, will take place in 2025, with the same work being carried out on the second unit in 2026. Currently, control systems and all ZAT know-how are implemented in around one third of all nuclear power plants in the EU and in 10% of nuclear plants worldwide. Earlier this month, the American company Westinghouse Electric signed a memorandum of understanding with the project company Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild (KNPP-Newbuild). It is to evaluate the feasibility of potentially building one or two reactors at the plant using Westinghouse's AP1000 pressurized water reactor technology.
Source: money.bg (30.03.2023)

And in 2021, the highest salaries are in small municipalities with large employers Small municipalities with a large industrial employer for another year lead the ranking of the highest average wages in Bulgaria and overtake the capital in terms of average wages. In the first place is the municipality of Chelopech, where the gold mining company of the Canadian "Dundee Precious Metals" operates. They are followed by Kozloduy with the nuclear power plant, Pirdop with the copper refinery, Radnevo with the "Maritsa Iztok" mine and the tetsovets, Devnya because of the chemical industry and others with a developed mining and processing industry, as well as with large enterprises in the energy sector. The highest average gross monthly salary in Bulgaria in 2021 is in the municipality of Chelopech (BGN 2,930). In second place is the average salary in Kozloduy municipality (BGN 2,431), followed by Pirdop municipality (BGN 2,205) and Stolichna municipality (BGN 2,144). In fifth position is the Radnevo energy center (BGN 2,040). The top 10 in the country is completed by Galabovo (BGN 1,985), Devnya (BGN 1,947), Panagyurishte (BGN 1,860), Elin Pelin (BGN 1,745) and Bozhurishte (BGN 1,717). The municipalities of Elin Pelin, Bozhurishte and Kostinbrod from the wide periphery of Sofia, as well as the municipalities of Devnya and Beloslav in the immediate vicinity of Varna and the municipalities of Maritsa, Kuklen and Brezovo near Plovdiv are also in the top 20 in terms of salaries in the country.
Source: Standart (07.04.2023)

The sixth unit of the Kozloduy NPP was launched The sixth power unit of the Kozloduy NPP was included in the national electricity system. The unit was stopped as planned on April 15 for the implementation of planned preventive activities related to indications of coolant leakage. After carrying out the necessary work on locating and removing the leak, tests and trials of the equipment, provided for in accordance with the requirements for safe operation, were carried out. Inspections confirm the operability of facilities and systems. In accordance with the technological regulation, the loading of the unit is carried out in stages and will continue until full power is reached. The fifth power unit of the plant operates according to the electricity generation schedule. business.dir.bg
Source: Other (22.04.2023)

A Canadian company will supply nuclear fuel to Bulgaria One of the largest suppliers of nuclear fuel in the world - the Canadian corporation "Cameco" (Cameco) will supply nuclear fuel to Bulgaria. The agreement is for a period of 10 years. Cameco is committed to delivering about 2.2 million kilograms of uranium by 2033, the Canadian company said in a statement. "Kameko" will provide sufficient volumes of natural uranium hexafluoride, (so-called UF6) to meet the full requirements of Unit 5 of the Kozloduy NPP. The Ministry of Energy announced that as a sign of partnership and readiness to ensure reliable and secure supplies of nuclear fuel for the Kozloduy NPP, on Thursday the American company Westinghouse signed contracts for the supply of uranium material with the corporations Cameco and "Urenko". The deliveries under the signed contracts will be used by Westinghouse for the production and delivery from 2024 of fresh nuclear fuel for the 5th power unit of the Kozloduy NPP. The contracted uranium material will be delivered to the Westinghouse plant in Sweden, where it will be used in the production process of the fresh nuclear fuel cartridges.
Source: mediapool.bg (24.04.2023)

Heating companies want to double their prices from July, Kozloduy NPP - 15% price increase The heating utilities and companies in the production-transmission-distribution-supply chain of electricity for households have submitted their applications for their new tariffs to the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), which will now analyze them and make its calculations before deciding what they will be for the one-year period after July 1, 2023. Kozloduy NPP, which is the main supplier of electricity to the regulated market apart from the two US power plants, believes that the price of nuclear electricity should rise by 15 percent. A price increase of 2.48 percent was calculated by the "National Electric Company", which actually buys the electricity from the three power plants and sells it mixed to the final suppliers "Electrohold", EVN and "Energo-Pro". Whether the increase requested by the NPP is included in the calculations, in line with the fact that the two companies are part of the "Bulgarian Energy Holding", is not clear. The prices of AES Galabovo TPP and KonturGlobal Maritsa Iztok 3 TPP, at which NEC buys, are fixed in long-term contracts and they will probably balance the price increase requested by the nuclear plant. Another factor, which will probably affect the balancing of the price increase requested by the NPP, is the reduction of the preferential prices for the combined production of electricity offered by the district heating companies. With a drop of BGN 200 - to BGN 1,034, for example, the application of the capital heating company for the price of its electricity. What increase in network fees do the state-owned "Electricity System Operator" and the private distribution companies of "Electrohold", EVN and "Energo-Pro" want? Confidential information in the applications has been deleted. The same applies to the data in the end suppliers' requests.
Source: mediapool.bg (05.05.2023)

The activity of the thermal power plant decreased by 51% in April on an annual basis Electricity produced by coal-fired power plants in April was 51% less than in April 2022. This is a record decline in the activity of these plants and is dictated mainly by the decrease in the exchange rate of electricity, which again makes the energy from coal non-competitive. So after the record year for electricity production 2022, this year, it seems, will also be of the opposite sign - the plants will work critically little. The trend for this has been seen since January, becoming very pronounced in April, and we are likely to see further declines in the coming months. It is significant that even when the 5th unit of the Kozloduy NPP went into planned maintenance on May 1, its work was not replaced by the TPP, but mainly by energy imports from Romania. The latter is actually also a trend that started at the beginning of this year - Bulgaria is exporting less and less electricity. Compared to last year, the total decrease for the first 4 months is over 60%, and in May the difference will become even greater precisely because one unit of the Kozloduy NPP will not be operating. If you look at April production data over the past 5 years, it is clear that 2023 is a record low. Even compared to 2020, when there were lockdowns due to the coronavirus and almost nothing worked, now there is a decrease of 19.4%. And compared to the base year of 2019, against which the decrease in carbon quotas is taken into account (the requirement in the recovery plan is for 40% by 2026), the decline in activity is 33%.
Source: Capital (09.05.2023)

NPP "Kozloduy", NEK and "Aurubis" are the record holders for profit tax Five energy companies are in the top 10 of the biggest taxpayers in Bulgaria for 2022, and AEC "Kozlody" is the absolute champion in terms of profit tax and VAT transferred to the budget. Information from the National revenue agency reveals that 2022 was particularly successful for large enterprises in the energy, cigarette business and mining industries. The top ten in terms of paid corporate tax include AEC "Kozlody", NEC, "Bulgartransgaz" and TPP "Maritsa Izto? 2" EAD), the mining companies "Aurubis Bulgaria", "Elacite-Med" and "Dundee Precios Metals" - Chelopech. Fertilizer producer "Agropolihim" Devnya is in ninth place. In eighth place in the ranking is "Amusnet Interactive", the Bulgarian software company that produces online and pinball games, as well as casino games. The companies that charged and remitted the largest amounts of VAT to the budget last year are: AEC Kozloduy JSC, Bulgargaz, Maritsa Izto? 2 TPP, Kontur Global Maritsa Izto? 3, Lu?oil Bulgaria Ltd, and Ec-3C Maritsa Izto?", "British American Tabacco Trading", "Lu?oil Bulgaria", "Karelia Bulgaria" and "Lu?oil Neftochim Bulgaria". The companies that used the largest tax credit are large exporters and their budget refunds VAT are : Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange, Lukoil Benelux B.V. - foreign entity, Aurubis Bulgaria, Oliva JSC, Bulcomers KS Ltd, Sofia Med JSC, Maxcom Ltd, Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria Ltd, Astra Bioplant Ltd and Huevepharma Ltd. Taxpayers - natural persons, brought in a total of nearly BGN 22 million, with the first in the ranking accounting for over BGN 7 million, the report from the NRA also indicates. All are reported to the NRA - Sofia.
Source: Sega (25.05.2023)

Bulgaria was a net importer of electricity in May In the month of May 2023, for the first time in decades, Bulgaria became a net importer of electricity. Less electricity was produced than we needed and we bought from the neighbors. In practice, the reason Bulgaria imports electricity to meet its needs is not that it does not have its own capacity to produce energy, but that it is cheaper that way. The market is looking for the best opportunities and they are definitely not in the Bulgarian thermal power plants. But the fact that we have become a net importer of electricity is not the only precedent in May. Last month saw record solar generation (over 10% of the total mix) as well as record generation from RES as a whole (over 30% of the total mix). And absolute values have the lowest generation from the NPP for at least 5 years, and from the thermal power plant for at least two years. In this situation, average electricity prices have fallen to mid-2021 levels - around BGN 170/mWh. Which means the business will now pay its lowest electricity bills in 23 months. The month itself is specific, because during it the scheduled repair of one of the units at the Kozloduy NPP is underway. Or to put it another way - the system works without the 1000 megawatts of base power, which is generally available every day, at a relatively low cost.
Source: Capital (05.06.2023)

Westinghouse's nuclear fuel licensing is slow Kozloduy NPP has not yet submitted an application for licensing the fresh nuclear fuel produced by the American company Westinghouse, with which the first partial refueling of Unit V of our nuclear power plant should begin next spring. If this is not done by the beginning of August, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency will not be able to issue its assessment in time for the annual scheduled maintenance of this reactor next year and the replacement of part of the Russian fuel, commented the chairman of the nuclear regulator Tsanko Bachiiski. At the end of December 2022, the Kozloduy NPP signed a ten-year contract with Westinghouse for the supply of fresh nuclear fuel, the first of which should take place in April or May 2024. However, the American fuel is not licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency as " Westinghouse" prepares the analyzes of the interaction of the new fuel with the old Russian one, since only a quarter of the fuel is changed every year, and four fuel campaigns are actually needed - eight years, for the complete replacement of the fuel. Some of the documents were submitted in advance for assessment by the regulator, while the others are being worked on to save time.
Source: mediapool.bg (08.06.2023)

The American company "Westinghouse" announced that it has signed a contract for preliminary engineering activities with the Kozloduy NPP for the construction of a new reactor with AP1000 technology at the Kozloduy NPP site. In June, the implementation of the contract began, which includes activities to assess the possibilities for integrating the Bulgarian industry in the project for the construction of a new nuclear power plant with AR1000 technology and for the maximum use of the existing infrastructure at the Kozloduy NPP site. Earlier this year, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint working group for planning the construction of reactors with AP1000 technology in Bulgaria. The FEED contract is the first step in the project to build a new nuclear power plant with AP1000 technology. Currently, two reactors with Russian BBEP-1000 technology are operating at the site of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. In December 2022, Westinghouse signed a 10-year contract for the supply of fresh nuclear fuel for one of the units at the Kozloduy NPP, with deliveries starting in 2024. The nuclear fuel will be produced at Westinghouse's plant in V?ster?s, Sweden, and is the only nuclear fuel project for units with VVER-1000 technology that is completely independent of Russian supplies and technology. The AP1000 Generation III+ nuclear reactor technology is the only one in the world with fully passive safety systems, with a modular construction design that also has the lowest carbon footprint per MWe.
Source: news.bg (16.06.2023)

Westinghouse signed a key contract with the Kozloduy NPP for the potential construction of a new reactor Westinghouse Electric has announced that it has signed a contract for preliminary engineering activities (Front-End Engineering&Design, FEED) with Kozloduy NPP-New Capacities for the construction of a new reactor with AP1000® technology at the Kozloduy NPP site. This month, the implementation of the contract began, which includes activities to assess the possibilities for integrating the Bulgarian industry in the project for the construction of a new nuclear power plant with AR1000® technology and for the maximum use of the existing infrastructure at the Kozloduy NPP site. Previously, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint working group for planning the construction of reactors with AP1000® technology in Bulgaria. The working group is in the process of assessing the regulatory, licensing and design requirements and is developing an accelerated schedule for actions in support of Bulgaria's energy strategy. The FEED contract is the first step in the project to build a new nuclear power plant with AP1000® technology. At the moment, two reactors with Russian BBEP-1000 technology are operating at the site in Kozloduy. In December 2022, Westinghouse signed a 10-year contract for the supply of fresh nuclear fuel for one of the units at the Kozloduy NPP, with deliveries starting in 2024. The nuclear fuel will be produced at the Westinghouse plant in V?ster?s, Sweden, and is the only nuclear fuel project for units with VVER-1000 technology that is completely independent of Russian supplies and technology.
Source: expert.bg (16.06.2023)

BEH has written off nearly BGN 700 million of Bulgargaz's debt, due to which its profit for 2022 has dropped drastically From nearly BGN 1.6 billion in the preliminary report, the profit of the Bulgarian Energy Holding shrinks to less than BGN 600 million in the final audited individual annual financial report. BEH's final report shows that the decrease in profit is mainly due to the impairment of Bulgargaz's debts, which were due in the second half of 2022. In fact, in the coffers of the energy holding, the profit of BGN 1.6 billion remains available, just not can be withdrawn from the state as a dividend. In addition, BEH itself still has nearly BGN 1 billion in cash reserves from previous years, so there is no question of exsanguination. Moreover, BEH has not yet received dividends from the huge profits of its companies for 2022, which in total exceed an impressive 3.38 billion BGN. In February of this year, the energy holding, which includes Kozloduy NPP, Maritsa East 2 TPP, NEK, Bulgargaz, Mini Maritsa-East, ESO and Bulgartransgaz, published a preliminary individual report in which for 2022 reported a net profit in the amount of BGN 1.59 billion. It was formed by BGN 1 billion in dividend income (mainly paid from the profit generated by the companies in 2021) and financial income of BGN 720 million, and the reported main expenses are for taxes and interest and total almost BGN 140 million. In the same report, it is stated that the available cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 2023 are a little over BGN 2.29 billion. A few months later, however, in the already audited report, which was submitted for entry in the Commercial Register on June 26, the profit is now only BGN 582 million. Revenues remain the same, but expenses swell by over BGN 1 billion - in the pen" impairments". The available funds, logically, still remain 2.29 billion BGN. In other words, the money does not disappear, only the accounting profit shrinks. However, the finance minister cannot withdraw the available cash as a dividend for the state budget and the money remains available to the companies themselves.
Source: Capital (28.06.2023)

Funding of BGN 442 085 was approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency The Council of Ministers approved funding in the amount of BGN 442,085 for the Nuclear Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2023 to carry out expertise for licensing a new type of nuclear fuel for the Kozloduy NPP. The expected results of the implementation of the decision are to ensure the activity of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency in the process of reviewing the documentation for licensing of an alternative type of nuclear fuel. The ultimate goal is to issue a permit for delivery and refueling in 2024 at Unit 5 of the Kozloduy NPP. The Council of Ministers approved the draft of a new general civil liability insurance contract for the Kozloduy NPP. The insurance contract will be concluded with Civil Society "Bulgarian National Insurance Nuclear Pool" for a period of one year. The current contract expires on July 31, 2023. Since 2002, "Kozloduy NPP" EAD has concluded an annual "General Civil Liability" insurance contract covering the plant's liability for nuclear damage. The regulation of General Civil Liability insurance for NPPs is contained in the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and Chapter Ten "Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage" of the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy.
Source: Banker (14.07.2023)

The largest 100 companies in Bulgaria report a 60% growth in revenues in 2022, at 28% in 2021 and at a 34% increase in the revenues of all companies operating in the country. BGN 132 billion are the total revenues of the largest 100 companies, with BGN 611 billion reported by all 375 thousand active companies in the country in their tax returns. Thus, almost 22% of the business in the country is generated by these barely one hundred companies. BGN 8 billion is the net profit of the hundred largest companies, and only seven of them are at a loss. With the biggest profit - nearly BGN 1.2 billion - is the Maritsa-Iztok 2 state power plant. But in reality, the record is held by the Kozloduy NPP, where revenues exceed costs by over BGN 4 billion, but due to payments to the fund to compensate for the high electricity prices for businesses, the final figure has been reduced to BGN 730 million. And so the plant is third in terms of profit in the state, and the state NEC is the runner-up. 24 of the companies in the top 100 are from the energy sector, accounting for a total of BGN 50 billion in revenue, and 55 of the companies are based in Sofia, followed by Plovdiv with eight. The second most strongly represented sector, with 12 companies, is that of machinery and equipment manufacturers, which together recorded a turnover of BGN 6.2 billion. Bulgarian ownership prevails in the top 100 - 53 of the hundred giants. The rest are foreign investments, with their group shrinking by one representative compared to the previous year. For the third year in a row, the largest company in Bulgaria is the mining plant in Pirdop "Aurubis Bulgaria" with revenues of BGN 8.2 billion and a net profit of almost BGN 500 million. The runner-up is Astra Bioplant from Ruse, with revenues of BGN 7.7 billion. Together with the other main company of the group - the propane-butane trader "Bulmarket DM", which has revenues of BGN 1.1 billion, the representatives from Ruse were in total bigger than "Aurubis". "Lukoil Bulgaria" reports revenues of BGN 7.4 billion and a positive financial result of BGN 150 million. The next six positions in the top 10 are occupied by energy companies. Five of them are the well-known state-owned companies: Kozloduy NPP, NEK, Bulgargaz and TPP Maritsa-iztok 2. Two foreign traders entered the top ten for the first time - "Expo Bulgaria" and "Met Energy Trading". The first is a subsidiary of the Swiss "Axpo Group" and deals in natural gas and electricity trading. In reality, "Expo Bulgaria" operates as a commercial hub in 15 European markets, and the Bulgarian deals are only a part of the huge revenues. And with the other debutant in the top 10 - "Met Energy Trading", the business is electricity and gas, and the results are consolidated for the Bulgarian and Greek markets, where the company operates. The subsidiary company of the Swiss-based MET Group entered the public space when, after the suspension of gas supplies from Gazprom, it provided the first quantities of alternative gas to Bulgaria through the Greek LNG terminals. The top ten is closed by the Portuguese manufacturer of glass bottles and jars "BE Glas Bulgaria", which is the owner of the former "Drujba glass factories" in Plovdiv and Sofia.
Source: Capital (28.07.2023)

Kozloduy NPP will be able to negotiate supplies from Russian companies for the repair of Unit 6 The Kozloduy NPP will be able to negotiate and receive supplies from Russian companies for the purposes of the planned annual repair of the sixth unit, the Council of Ministers announced. After receiving a letter from the nuclear plant and at the suggestion of the Minister of Energy, the Council of Ministers approved at its meeting on Wednesday a decision granting a derogation from the bans introduced regarding restrictive measures in view of the actions of Russia and its war in Ukraine. The Regulation provides for the possibility for the competent authorities of the Member States to allow exceptions to the introduced bans when this is necessary for the operation, maintenance, refueling and ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities for civil purposes. In the specific case, it is about the supply of intra-reactor detector blocks and asynchronous electric motors, as well as the related supplies and services. The granted derogation will also enable the supply of a tubular electric heating unit for the volume compensator, current transformers, as well as specific check valve spare parts and other spare parts. Kozloduy NPP EAD is the owner of the only nuclear power plant in Bulgaria, which is the largest producer of electricity in the country. It provides more than a third of the annual national electricity production and is a key factor for the country's energy security. The power plant was built according to a Soviet project and most of its systems and equipment are of Russian origin.
Source: mediapool.bg (10.08.2023)

Valentin Nikolov will be the new executive director of Kozloduy NPP Valentin Nikolov will be the new executive director of Kozloduy NPP. Nikolov will replace Georgi Kirkov in the post by decision of the board of directors of the nuclear power plant. The change will be entered in the Commercial Register within three days and will take effect next Wednesday, August 16. Valentin Nikolov was already at the head of the Kozloduy NPP in the period between 2012 and 2013, and in 2021 he was also the executive director of the Bulgarian Energy Holding.
Source: National radio (11.08.2023)

Valentin Nikolov, former deputy from GERB, former deputy minister of energy in Borisov's first cabinet, former director of the Bulgarian Energy Holding and former head of the nuclear power plant, returns to the Kozloduy NPP. This is done by a decision of the board of directors of the Kozloduy NPP, with which Georgi Kirkov is dismissed and Valentin Nikolov is elected as director of the plant. Nikolov was head of the plant from 2012 to 2013. Current head Georgi Kirkov remains on the board of directors of the Kozloduy NPP.
Source: 24 chasa (14.08.2023)

The profit of Kozloduy NPP for the first half of the year has fallen more than five times, according to the company's interim financial report. From 1.693 billion BGN for the six months of last year, the profit has shrunk to 307.048 million BGN. The cash on hand of the plant is 656 million BGN, compared to 738 million in 2022. Revenues from electricity production have fallen from 2 .7 billion to BGN 1.267 million. This collapse comes on the one hand from the prices on the free market, which this year normalized after the peak values before. For the first half of last year, the average price was BGN 402 per megawatt hour, and now it is BGN 217. On the other hand, Kozloduy NPP makes large payments to various funds. For example, for the "Security of the Electricity System" fund, into which revenues above a certain ceiling go. Until a few days ago, this ceiling for the nuclear power plant was BGN 180 per megawatt hour, but it is now BGN 150 and everything above it is deducted from the fund. For half a year, the headquarters has contributed BGN 293.62 million to this fund, it is clear from the report. Additional costs are payments for the funds for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, for radioactive waste and again for the "Security of the Electric Power System" fund. For the half year, these sums are BGN 194.95 million. So, only under these two pillars, the state has been paid BGN 488.57 million.
Source: 24 chasa (04.09.2023)

Double less electricity from coal in Bulgaria for the first 8 months of 2023. From the beginning of the year to the end of August, Bulgaria produced twice as much electricity from coal compared to the same period last year, which was a record for this indicator. This is almost entirely at the expense of exports, which are 70% lower due to the fact that the countries around us meet their own needs. At the same time, the average sunshine hours in the country in August were about 315, which makes more than 40% of the day possible for solar installations to work. They are already over 2,400 megawatts, which is more than the power of the units at the Kozloduy NPP, and this is precisely the reason why in August there was a new record in terms of the share of solar in the total energy mix - 13.6% of the entire production in the country. At the same time, the production of electricity in the country as a whole decreases slightly, but remains above 3 million mWh. But because of the hot weather - August was warmer than usual, consumption has remained almost at the same level since July due to the need for cooling. In August, the average price of electricity in Bulgaria rose by about 5%, but again did not exceed the level of BGN 200/mWh, which was set by the parliament as the ceiling above which business bills are subsidized. However, at certain peak times of the day - during a number of days of the month - the price jumped to levels of the order of BGN 600-700/mWh. This is most often the case in the evening when the coal plants are switched on.
Source: Capital (05.09.2023)

The profit of Kozloduy NPP for the half year is five times lower than last year The nuclear power plant "Kozloduy" reports a five times lower net profit for the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. For the period January-June 2023, it was BGN 307 million, while in 2022 it was BGN 1.6 billion. An explanation can be found in the significantly lower prices of stock exchange electricity in the "Day Ahead" segment, as the average sales price realized in all directions in the first half of 2023 marked a drop of 51% to BGN 163.86/MWh compared to same period of m.y. In addition, the contributions made by the Kozloduy NPP to the "Security of the Electric Power System" fund (BGN 293.6 million for the period under review) also have an impact. The company's operating income for the first half of the year amounted to BGN 1.2 billion, which is more than 50% less than the reported BGN 2.7 billion. for the first half of 2022
Source: Dnevnik (14.09.2023)

Licensing of new fuel for Unit V accelerated, foreign companies join in Czech and two Ukrainian companies and a French institute are helping the Nuclear Regulatory Agency to speed up the licensing of fresh nuclear fuel from the US Westinghouse for use at Kozloduy NPP's Unit V. The regulator has given itself an internal deadline to complete the paperwork by the end of March 2024. The reason is that the first delivery of the alternative to the current Russian fuel is scheduled for April 15 and it will arrive whether it is licensed for use in Bulgaria or not. If the approval process is not completed by the time the reactor is shut down for the scheduled annual refurbishment and 1/4 fuel change in May 2024, the plant will not be able to operate. Unless it is refueled with the available Russian fuel for Unit VI of the nuclear plant. It is TVSA-12 and is different from that for Unit V, which is TVSA, but it is compatible with it and licensed. However, if TVSA-12 is put in next year, it means that it has to be refuelled for the next three years and then analysed for its compatibility with that of Westinghouse, the Nuclear Regulation Agency explained. However, they still believe that despite the tight schedule for the licensing of US fresh nuclear fuel, there is still time for this to happen on time and not to change the plan for diversification of the supply of this type of energy raw material. The contract between Kozloduy NPP and Westinghouse was signed at the end of December 2022 and is for a ten-year supply. The words of the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA), Tsanko Baciiski, made it clear that even if it is not allowed for use as early as next spring, the fuel will arrive and it is possible to store it at the nuclear plant site until it is licensed. However, a separate permit will be needed for this, as well as for the transportation of the new cartridges to Kozloduy.
Source: mediapool.bg (20.09.2023)

All US nuclear fuel licensing documents are available Days before the deadline, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency received the missing documents from the Kozloduy NPP's application for licensing the new nuclear fuel for Unit Five. It is about additional information to the application for issuing a permit for the use of a new type of nuclear fuel RWFA produced by "Westinghouse", namely the Draft Amendment to Chapter 15 "Accident Analysis" of the Safety Analysis Report. Before that, the missing "Draft of Amendment of Administrative Instruction "Preparation of Reports with Neutron-Physical Characteristics of the VVER-1000 Reactor" was also presented. "The operator complied with the deadline given by the NRA for the removal of the gaps and irregularities indicated in the review for formal regularity of the application. The review and assessment of the substance of the submitted documents continues," the agency states. The deadline for submitting the documents was October 15, and if it was not met, the NRA would be forced to refuse licensing of the new American fuel RWFA. Without these documents, the agency cannot assess the impact of the proposed fuel phase-out. The contract between Kozloduy NPP and Westinghouse was signed in December 2022. According to it, in April 2024, the American company should deliver the first fresh nuclear fuel for the Fifth Reactor. It must be mixed in a ratio of 1 to 3 with the currently used Russian fuel.
Source: Sega (16.10.2023)

The delivery of internal reactor detector units for the Kozloduy NPP Unit 6 will be possible by 15 November 2023, the Council of Ministers has decided. With its decision, the cabinet modified its previous decision to grant a derogation from the bans introduced by Regulation No 833/2014 on restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. In the previous cabinet decision, the delivery period was fixed until the expiry of the contract between Kozloduy NPP and its contractor Spartak-V Ltd, namely 15 September 2023. In their letter, the Russian manufacturers informed of a possible delay in the transport to Bulgaria due to enhanced security measures and special checks in the port of Kavkaz, which is the only possible starting point for the delivery of the specific products to Kozloduy NPP. Thus, the new delivery deadline is 15 November 2023. By the decision of the Council of Ministers, the derogation for supplies to Kozloduy NPP from the bans introduced by Regulation No 833/2014 on restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine is extended until the same date, the Government Information Service specifies. On 9 October, Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant started the annual planned repair of Unit 6. The shutdown of the nuclear power capacity was coordinated with the Central Dispatching Department of the "Electric Power System Operator" EAD following a previously submitted application, the plant's press service informed then.
Source: 24 chasa (19.10.2023)

"Westinghouse Electric" signed memorandums with Bulgarian companies for its nuclear projects in Bulgaria Westinghouse Electric has signed Memoranda of Understanding with key Bulgarian suppliers to support upcoming nuclear projects based on AP1000 technology at the Kozloduy NPP site in Northern Bulgaria and other projects across the region. The five Bulgarian companies that signed the Memoranda of Understanding with "Westinghouse Electric" are "Oscar-El", "Glavbolgarstroy", "ENPRO Consult", "EnergoService" and "I Q I Bulgaria". Westinghouse Electric expressed confidence that the cooperation with Kozloduy NPP-New Powers EAD on the project to build a new nuclear unit with AP1000 technology will also create a large ecosystem of local companies working in the field of nuclear engineering, which become the backbone of the future nuclear industry based on this technology throughout Europe.
Source: Trud (20.10.2023)

The largest Bulgarian companies in Southeast Europe Fourteen Bulgarian companies are among the hundred largest companies in Southeast Europe in this year's SEE TOP 100 ranking, which ranks companies based on total revenue for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2022. Eleventh among the Bulgarian participants is the copper processor and one of the world's leading suppliers of non-ferrous metals, "Aurubis Bulgaria" with revenues of 4.2 billion euros for 2022. In last year's ranking of the publication, "Aurubis Bulgaria" was in the 5th position with revenues of 3.8 billion euros. In this year's ranking, the biodiesel producer "Astra Bioplant" again falls. With total revenues of 3.9 billion euros, the company climbs from 28th position (for 2021) to 12th position. In the 14th position we find "LUKOIL Bulgaria" with total revenues of 3.7 billion euros. The fuel trader was also in the Seenews ranking for 2021 - at number 30. Kozloduy NPP is also among the largest companies in CEE - in 20th position (40th position for 2021). The total revenues of our nuclear power plant for the past year amounted to more than 3 billion euros. The ranking also includes a company that was absent in 2021 - the renewable energy and gas trader "Expo Bulgaria". The subsidiary of the Swiss "Expo Group" occupies the 21st position, with revenues of 3 billion euros. In 2022, "National Electric Company" falls 6 positions to 26th position, with total revenues of 2.6 billion euros. With 2.5 billion euros for 2022, "Bulgargaz" occupies the 28th position (54th position for 2021). "Maritsa Iztok 2 TPP" occupies the 36th position. The energy trading company "MET Energy Trading Bulgaria", which in 2021 fell behind the ranking, falls to the 42nd position in its latest edition, with total revenues of 1.9 billion euros. Also new to the ranking is the manufacturer of glass packaging "BE Glass Bulgaria", which with 1.4 billion euros in revenue occupies the 59th position. With 1.3 billion euros in revenue for 2022, the sunflower processor "Oliva" reaches the 65th position (from 90th in 2021). The commercial chain "Kaufland Bulgaria" occupies the 81st position (64th position for 2021), with a total income of 1.1. billion euros. The oil refining company "LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas", which was not among the largest companies in CEE for 2021, a year later realized a total revenue of 1.1 billion euros, which ranked it in 83rd place for 2022. The Lidl Bulgaria retail chain, which with a total revenue of over 1 billion euros, took the 93rd position (84th for 2021). In last year's edition of the study, 12 Bulgarian companies were included, of which "Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange", "Saksa" and "Sofia Med" are absent this year. For the second year in a row, the Romanian gas and oil giant OMV Petrom, part of the Austrian group OMV, tops the ranking with 13.4 billion euros in revenue - almost twice as much as in 2021. The company is in first place in the region and profit - in 2022 it will grow more than three times and reach 2 billion euros. The total revenue of the 100 largest companies in South-Eastern Europe increased by 46 percent and reached 223.9 billion euros, and the profit jumped by 61 percent to 10.3 billion euros, shows SEE TOP 100. SEE TOP 100 is an annual ranking of the largest companies by total revenue registered in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro. The threshold for entering the ranking is also raised and reaches EUR 975.6 million. For comparison, it was 699 million euros a year earlier and half as low - only 441.9 million euros - ten years ago.
Source: money.bg (25.10.2023)

Construction of the 7th unit of the Kozloduy NPP begins The Council of Ministers launched the implementation of the construction of the 7th block of the Kozloduy NPP, deciding to invest an additional 500 million BGN in the company that will be responsible for this implementation - "Kozloduy NPP - new capacities" EAD. The deadline for the construction of the new nuclear power plant is 2033. The Cabinet assigned the Minister of Energy Rumen Radev to take the necessary actions on the transparent selection of a contractor for the design, construction and commissioning of the new power unit. The final contract with the selected company and with the supplier of the AP1000 technology must be drawn up under the conditions of a fixed price and execution period. The Cabinet obliged the Minister of Energy to organize negotiations with financial institutions to secure the necessary loan funds. With the same decision, preparations will also begin for the 8th block of the Kozloduy NPP. The plan is for the two projects to go parallel as construction, with their total capacity being 2,300 megawatts, which significantly exceeds the 1,760 megawatt capacity of the closed first to fourth blocks of Kozloduy NPP. In June, the American company "Westinghouse" signed a contract with the project company "NPP Kozloduy New Capacities" for preliminary engineering activities for the construction of a new reactor with AP-1000 technology at the site of the Kozloduy NPP. It is expected that by the end of the year the analysis of the assessment of the possibilities for maximum use of the existing infrastructure at the Kozloduy NPP site and for the integration of the Bulgarian industry in the project for the 7th nuclear unit with AR1000 technology will be ready. Recently, the American Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) signed agreements with 5 Bulgarian companies to join as subcontractors in the construction of the new nuclear unit of the Kozloduy NPP.
Source: Sega (26.10.2023)

Westinghouse" will only provide the technology for block VII, there will be a tender for the builder The American company "Westinghouse" will only supply the AP-1000 technology for the construction of Unit VII of the "Kozloduy" NPP, and the actual construction of the new capacity will be carried out by other companies that will be selected by tender or another type of procedure. This was explained by the executive director of the nuclear power plant, Valentin Nikolov. Before that, the government decided that "Bulgarian Energy Holding" (BEH) would contribute BGN 500 million to the capital of the company "Kozloduy NPP - New Powers", which is currently owned by the nuclear power plant. Thus, BEH will become the main shareholder. The Minister of Energy was charged with the task of conducting a procedure for selecting a company to design, build and commission the new power unit. The final contract with the selected company and with the supplier of the AR-1000 technology must be drawn up under the conditions of a fixed price and deadline, the cabinet decided. "Westinghouse" will not build for sure. The company may be from the USA, it may be from South Korea, it will be selected through an auction or some kind of negotiation," Nikolov explained. "Kozloduy NPP has stated to the Ministry of Finance that a state guarantee in the amount of 1.5 billion will be needed .euro for the construction of the seventh and eighth blocks. This has been accepted and will most likely be included in the state budget," he also commented. The price of Block VII will become clear only at the end of March 2024, when the engineering study by "Westinghouse" is completed. The government gave carte blanche to the Minister of Energy also to conduct negotiations on crediting the future nuclear project.The two new AP-1000 technology units will produce much more electricity than the currently operating V and VI units, their fuel will have a longer burn cycle, which means that the planned annual repairs will be over a longer period of time, so the system will be able to be balanced, said the head of Kozloduy NPP.
Source: mediapool.bg (27.10.2023)

Bulgaria and 11 other countries are asking the EU for laws on small modular reactors Bulgaria and 11 other member countries are asking the European Commission to create an industrial union for small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) at the EU level. This is clear from a letter sent by the states. Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden ask the EC to create a "pan-European industrial alliance", and the initiative should "stimulate investments in European capabilities for the development of SMR and European value chain". The European Commission's support is needed to ensure that these innovative projects benefit from existing and future European legislation, they added. The signatories to the letter claim that small modular reactors could "be the solution for fossil fuel-free electricity generation in 2030." and are of the opinion that "nuclear power could provide up to 150 gigawatts to the EU by 2050." compared to 100 gigawatts now. According to representatives of the member countries, such an initiative "will strengthen our energy sovereignty and the competitiveness of our industry". In order to decarbonize the economy, the European Commission has announced that it supports the development of 4th generation nuclear reactors as well as small modular reactors.
Source: economic.bg (03.11.2023)

Kozloduy NPP revenue and profit shrink by over 60% The revenues of Kozloduy NPP have fallen by 60% for the first 9 months of the year on an annual basis - from over BGN 5 billion to under BGN 2 billion. The profit has also decreased drastically - from BGN 1.37 billion to BGN 519 million. BGN Electricity sales prices have decreased several times compared to 2022, and in addition, the company itself is not functioning at 100%, after the units were operating at reduced capacities for various reasons for months. The increased share of the NPP in providing energy for the regulated market, where prices are lower (quantities increased by 30%), is also a factor, leading to fewer opportunities for exchange transactions. Due to the ongoing payments to the state, the cash available at the Kozloduy NPP is nearly BGN 350 million less at the end of the period than at the same time in 2022. The retained earnings is BGN 435 million and actually decreases by BGN 365 million. BGN from the beginning of the year, after the headquarters paid the amount in question as a dividend to the state.
Source: Capital (09.11.2023)

Record state guarantees for the last ten years to be included in the budget for 2024, the Ministry of Finance proposes. The amount is up to BGN 4.5 billion, with the government guarantee mainly intended for energy projects. The majority of the amount - about BGN 3 billion or EUR 1,500,417,089 - is earmarked for the construction of the Seventh Block of the Kozloduy NPP. The state guarantee is necessary for borrowing by the project company for the construction of the new nuclear power plant based on Westinghouse's AP-1000 technology. At the end of October, the government decided that "Bulgarian Energy Holding" will contribute BGN 500 million to the capital of the project company "NPP Kozloduy New Capacities" and thus become a co-shareholder of the nuclear power plant in this company. The other major state guarantee is actually transferred from last year a guarantee for the loan for 207.5 million euros already taken by the state gas operator "Bulgartransgaz" from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The funds are for the project to expand the gas storage in Chiren and increase its capacity for useful use of reserves to 1 billion cubic meters. Its total value will be around 308 million euros according to the latest data. The state guarantee, included last year in the budget update, in favor of the state gas supplier "Bulgargaz" is also preserved. The company then received a guarantee for a loan of about BGN 300 million or EUR 150 million for the provision of alternative quantities of blue fuel after the suspension of Russian supplies at the end of April 2022. Two new guarantees are included in next year's budget in favor of " The National Electric Company (NEC) and its water projects. One is for the modernization and rehabilitation of the Chaira Paving Plant, which is not working after a serious accident, and is for BGN 80 million. In April 2022, during preparations for commissioning after rehabilitation, one of the four units was permanently damaged. The other repaired facility was never launched for security reasons, and the other two were already shut down. The next guarantee for NEK is for BGN 75 million and is also for new loans to increase the volume of the lower leveler of the Chaira Pavement Plant with the construction of the Yadenica dam and a reversible pressure tunnel to connect with the Chaira dam. EUR 300 million have been pledged to guarantee loans to "BDZ - Passenger Transport" for the acquisition of rolling stock. In the period 2020-2022, the state guarantees were between BGN 760 and 840 million, and in 2019 they were only for BGN 215 million, in 2018 and 2017 they were for BGN 700 million each, and in the previous two years they reached BGN 3 billion.
Source: Duma (16.11.2023)

For 2024: BGN 3.7 billion state guarantees for Block VII of "Kozloduy", PAVETS "Chaira" and for new trains The Council of Ministers approved the inclusion of state guarantees in the draft Law on the State Budget of Bulgaria for 2024 for national strategic projects. For the "Modernization and rehabilitation of the CHAIR PAVEC" the possibility of issuing a state guarantee in the amount of up to BGN 80 million has been approved. The project aims to ensure the flexibility and stability of the electricity system through the modernization and return to operation of all the hydro units of the Chaira PAVEC ". Guarantees for BGN 75 million are for "Increasing the volume of the lower leveler of the Chaira Pavement Plant with the construction of the Yadenitsa dam and a reversible pressure tunnel for connection with the Chaira dam". The project envisages an increase in the volume of the lower equalizer of PAVETS "Chaira", and the plant will switch from a daily to a weekly mode of equalizing water volumes and the possibility of working at full generator power for 20 hours. A leading strategic goal in the government's program is that after 2030, the production of nuclear energy from a new nuclear power plant will be included in the country's energy mix, which is why the government approved the option of issuing a state guarantee for the project "Construction of a new nuclear power plant from the new generation at the "Kozloduy" NPP site (unit 7). It is in the amount of up to the BGN equivalent of EUR 1,500,417,089.
Source: 24 chasa (21.11.2023)

First sod for the construction of the Administrative Building and Production Base of KMS EAD KMS EAD started the construction of the company's Administrative Building and Production Base at the Kozloduy NPP site. "KMS" EAD is a high-tech company that has been carrying out specialized repairs in the field of energy since 1990. The company has highly qualified personnel, modern technological equipment and production capacity. It employs a team of 220 professionals with over 30 years of experience in the field of energy.
Source: 24 chasa (04.12.2023)

More income and reduced expenses increase the profit of "Atomenergoremont" At the end of September, "Atomenergoremont" JSC - Kozloduy reported net sales revenues of BGN 49.85 million, increasing by 18.41% on an annual basis. A total of 99.33% of cash receipts are from the main activity – current technical support, current and basic repairs of production facilities, construction and installation and investment activity, and the rest are from other services. The company also reports higher income from interest in the amount of BGN 5.37 million. "Atomenergoremont" AD was established in 1974 for the repair of the equipment of "NPP - Kozloduy". Over the past ten years, the company has expanded its range of clients and activities by executing a number of projects related to modernization and complete construction of sites in thermal power plants and other industrial enterprises. The company's total revenue increased year-on-year by 15.96 percent. Its operating expenses decreased by 5.33 percent at the end of September. In the end, "Atomenergoremont" ended the nine-month period with a growing positive financial result to 21.73 million BGN, compared to 12.24 million BGN a year earlier. As of the end of September, the largest shareholder in the company is "Bultrade Corporation" EOOD with a share of 55.20% of the capital. ZAD "OZK - Insurance" AD owns 8.515 percent, SUB "Toplina" - 10.76%, SUB "Budeshte" - 8.71 percent. A total of 12.97% are owned by other companies and individual investors. In mid-June, the general assembly of "Atomenergoremont" AD voted to pay a dividend from the profit for 2022. The shareholders distributed the sum of BGN 383,878.50 or BGN 0.025 per share. From the profit for 2021, "Atomenergoremont" distributed a cash dividend in the total amount of BGN 230,327 or per share gross of BGN 0.015. A total of BGN 230,327 or BGN 0.015 was set aside for a dividend from the profit for 2020. ?
Source: Banker (07.12.2023)

The capital of Kozloduy NPP was increased by BGN 1.5 billion The National Assembly decided to increase by BGN 1.5 billion the capital of the Kozloduy NPP for the construction of the 7th and 8th blocks of the nuclear power plant with the funds from the sale of the equipment for the plant in Belene. The proposal was submitted by Boyko Borisov, Delyan Peevski, Kiril Petkov and Delyan Dobrev. The obligation to increase the capital of the nuclear power plant rests with the Minister of Energy, and all money from the sale of the equipment for the Belene NPP is to be invested only in the new two units in Kozloduy. By March 31, 2024, the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Energy must have taken action to decide on the choice of technology, namely the American AP1000 reactors. The 7th block should be ready on December 31, 2034.
Source: 24 chasa (19.12.2023)