The traditional international Bulatom conference was held.
„"...The project to build new nuclear power plants in Bulgaria cannot be implemented without the participation of the state, but for the government to finance it alone is absurd...", Valentin Nikolov, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, told the conference participants.
„"….The participation of a private investor in such a project is completely permissible and there are no legal obstacles. In 2021, a new Directive comes into force, which will impose new reference values for harmful emissions into the air, which our thermal power plants cannot meet," explained Nikolov. As he mentioned, one of the options is to use the existing infrastructure at the Kozloduy NPP by using the manufactured and delivered primary circuit components for the second NPP.
According to the estimates provided by him, the full cost of the Project would be around $10 billion.
„"…The project is economically attractive by reducing the political risk on it. The standard price of electricity from such capacity would reach 71 dollars per megawatt-hour, at a current value of 70 leva. The difference could be covered through the so-called "contracts for difference" and the Energy Security Fund could be used. By the time the new capacities are built, the contracts with the Maritsa thermal power plants, as well as with the wind power plants, will end. This would free up a resource of over 100 million leva for the fund to have at its disposal…."„
Other data about the economics of the project that have become publicly known are the interest rate on the attracted capital of around 5-6 % - market-tested along with the placed bonds of BEH, as well as the return on investment of around 10-11% and a redemption period until 2056.
Regarding the current status of the Kozloduy NPP New Build Project, work continues on licensing the site for the facility. The application was submitted to the NRA in the summer of 2015. Subsequently, several revised versions of the documents were provided at the request of the Regulator. Currently, environmental organizations are appealing the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Water to approve the investment intention in connection with the conducted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Executive Director Lyuben Marinov was categorical that there are no obstacles to the equipment for the "second nuclear power plant" being used at the Kozloduy site. This is the option for the already paid equipment, taking into account the decision of the National Assembly from 2012.
