Equipment from Russia does not fit into the Bulgarian NPP: bidding with Kiev continues

Bulgaria itself would need part of the Russian equipment from the Belene NPP. However, it does not fit into the existing Kozloduy NPP according to technical parameters, the study showed. Negotiations on the sale of equipment to Ukraine continue.

For three years in a row, the Bulgarian Kozloduy NPP has been experiencing problems with the steam generator of the sixth power unit and it could have been I would like to replace it with one of those that Rosatom supplied for the Belene NPP, whose construction was stopped. However, the new steam generators simply will not fit in the operating station, the inspection showed, according to BNT.

"The existing dimensional and connecting differences between steam generators PGV-1000MK and PGV 1000 M are taken into account, including the need for significant additional reconstructions," the Kozloduy station reported.

They explained that the elimination of the existing dimensional differences between the steam generators PGV-1000MK and PGV-1000M, along with the necessary additional reconstructions and the provision of a suitable storage site, is a complex and lengthy process that will require significant financial, technological and human resources, as well as a major reorganization in terms of logistics and organization of work.

Bulgaria also studied the possibility of using equipment for the construction of new power units for the Kozloduy NPP, but even here the use of new Russian equipment was faced with the lack of sufficient free space.

We will have to rent a new plot of land, they added at the Kozloduy NPP.

They expect that the existing steam generators will work for another 30 years, as at the moment they meet the criteria of good operational condition.

"Kozloduy-6 has a steam generator No. 3, which, after 30 years of impeccable service, began to suffer slightly, two pipes a year are jammed on it. At first glance, the statistics are not bad, at this rate the block will reach the acceptable limit somewhere by the year 2300 (not a mistake!). The trouble is that it doesn't work out to catch the defect formation in time, as a result, the block has already been forced to stop several times to eliminate the consequences," the RealAtomInfo telegram channel wrote.

For example, on June 13, radioactive water leaked at the Kozloduy NPP. "Due to human error, radioactive water leaked in the protective zone of the Kozloduy NPP power unit No. 6. It is specially designed for severe accidents, but this one does not look like it," said station director Valentin Nikolov. He added that the inspection of cracks in the third steam generator was not carried out. Nevertheless, the state of emergency caused a resonance at the parliamentary hearings, Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said that now experts will clarify whether it is possible to use new Russian steam generators to replace those operating at the Kozloduy NPP.

We are talking about equipment worth $ 800 million, which was supplied by Rosatom for the completion of the Belene station, but it was never used, as the construction was stopped. Bulgaria had to buy back the ordered equipment after losing the arbitration case in 2016.

The BSP parliamentary group then said that they would block the deal with Ukraine until the situation with the Kozloduy NPP was clarified.

According to BNT, negotiations on the sale of Russian equipment for Belene to Ukraine are continuing.

As EADaily reported, in the first half of February, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported a bill allowing the national company Energoatom to buy Russian equipment in Bulgaria for the completion of two power units of the Khmelnitsky NPP.

The Ukrainian authorities became interested in Russian equipment back in 2023. And until March 12, 2025, there was a deadline when Kiev had to give a final answer.

"The bill allows spending from the state budget from 600 million euros to $ 1.1 billion on the purchase of reactors in Bulgaria," The Mirror of the Week wrote.

In Ukraine, plans for Bulgarian equipment were called a scam.

"Well, what… The authorities launched the "Great Atomic Theft." Now tens of billions (hryvnia) from the increase in tariffs to you and the entire population will go somewhere to Bulgaria to buy Russian reactors! This money could have been sent to the army, but Mindich and Galushchenko (Minister of Energy) decided otherwise," the MP from the Golos party wrote in the telegram channel Yaroslav Zheleznyak. — Which is good (if you can say so in this situation) — this is a purchase permit only, not the start of construction. Therefore, not all UAH 300 billion will be stolen yet, but less. Patrons, you might say."