Head of Bulgaria Nuclear Plant Kozloduy Resigns

Genov said he can't agree with the poor assessment given by the energy minister after ending the first half of the year with BGN 54 M net profit. Photo by BGNES

Ivan Genov, the Director of Bulgaria's Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, has submitted his resignation following accusations of poor management by the energy minister.

Minutes after the news broke the Bulgarian Energy Holding officially announced that Genov's resignation has been accepted.

Genov said he felt insulted by a comment made last week by the new Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism, Traicho Traikov, that the Kozloduy NPP had made unfavorable contracts for selling electricity on the open market.

On Monday Genov said that he can't agree with the assessment given by the minister after ending the first half of the year with BGN 54 M net profit thanks to good marketing on what he called the collapsed energy market in the region.

"Last year we brought state revenue of about BGN 200-300 M. This year we have attracted four new private companies who buy electricity for us on market prices and compensate for the losses that we have from selling 60% of our energy to the state on lower than the market prices. Our plant has staff that meets the world standards, and has received international recognition", Genov told the Bulgarian National Radio on Sunday.

The NPP Director also announced that some of the 4 000 employees of the plant had started collecting signatures in order to support him to remain at his position.

"I have never worked at any other place. I have been at the Kozloduy NPP for 29 years. The people there needs to be protected, and I will always be with them, even if I don't work there any more," Genov said.

Last week Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism, Traicho Traikov said the companies which purchased Kozloduy electricity was not selected so as to protect the interests of the nuclear plant and the public interest.

"The losses incurred on the plant due to these unfavorable contracts are still to be estimated," the minister said.

He said that checks are underway in the National Electricity Distribution Company and the Bulgarian Energy Holding.

 

 

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