Bulgaria to Lose Only BGN 15 M from Extended NPP Repairs

Bulgarian Economy Minister Traikov (right) estimated that Bulgaria will lose only BGN 15 M from the extended repairs of the Kozloduy NPP. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria is going to suffer losses of about BGN 15 M from having to extend the repairs of Unit 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant by 10 days.

The losses will be incurred because the state-owned plant will be unable to produce the planned amount of electricity, explained Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Traicho Traikov, on Wednesday.

"This is certainly not a small sum of money but it is different from the sum mentioned in some media interpretations," Traikov said.

On Tuesday, the Economy Ministry announced that defects in materials supplied for the repair of Unit 6 have necessitated their being replaced, which would delay switching the reactor back in the country's electricity grid, perhaps for more than six months.

Traikov was on an emergency visit to the plant; at first, he mentioned that there could be a six-month delay in turning the 1000 MW reactor back on. Estimates said such a scenario could cut Bulgaria's electricity exports by two-thirds.

The electricity supply for the country will nevertheless still be guaranteed by extra capacities of other facilities.

The defects of the supplies do not in anyway threaten the health of the population, emphasized Traikov. Traikov also promised that Bulgaria will file all necessary claims with Rosatom, the Russian company servicing Kozloduy NPP.

Unit 6 was turned off for its scheduled annual repairs and refueling on September 18 and was expected to begin functioning again at the end of October.

A similar repair is previewed for Unit 5 next spring and Minister Traikov promised that the government will take all precaustions against a similar situation.

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