Bulgarian Energy Minister Visits Atomexpo in Moscow, Talks with Rosatom CEO

Sofia/Moscow, June 20 (BTA) - Bulgarian Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova visited the Atomexpo International Forum which is being held in Moscow from June 19 to 21, her ministry said Tuesday. The main theme of the ninth edition of the forum is the role of nuclear energy for a carbon-free energy industry of the future.

Within the framework of the forum, Petkova met with Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev. The sides noted the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of nuclear energy over the years and the solutions achieved with joint efforts after the arbitration judgment on the Belene N-plant. Petkova underscored: "The next important step is related to the utilization of the equipment manufactured for the project. Bulgaria should also take into account the requirements for reduction of noxious emissions stemming from the Paris Agreement. Although it insists on derogation before the EC, the country will have to reconsider its energy strategy."

Petkova outlined Bulgaria's plans to include the assets and the liabilities of the Belene project in a separate project company, which can be offered for privatization. She noted that the Belene site has already been developed, part of the adjoining infrastructure has been built, and some equipment has been manufactured. Besides that, Bulgaria has excellent experts. In case a strategic investor is not found within such a procedure, there is also a possibility to use part of the Belene equipment in a future Reactor Unit 7 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, the Energy Minister said.

Rosatom expressed interest in participating in a possible implementation of the project as a constructing company.

Petkova also met with Rusatom Service General Director Evgeny Salkov, who heads the project for extending the life of Kozloduy's Reactor Units 5 and 6. The sides recalled the successful upgrade of Kozloduy's Unit 5. Petkova expressed confidence that the team work of the experts on both sides will also be completed successfully in connection with extending the operability of Unit 6.