Bulgaria has embarked on the construction of Unit 7 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, employing cutting-edge US technology, as announced by Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. With an initial government investment of €250 million, the project marks an important milestone for the Bulgarian nuclear energy sector and also paves the way for the potential entry of US nuclear company Westinghouse into the European market.

This pioneering initiative involves the utilization of Westinghouse's unique AP1000 technology, which currently operates at only two nuclear power plants globally – one in China and another in the US, with Ukraine expressing interest as well. The projected deadline for the completion of the 1150-megawatt plant is set for 2033, although industry sources suggest that the actual completion date may extend to 2035. While the government's financial contribution has been disclosed, the total project value remains undisclosed.

The government's next step entails the transparent selection of a contractor for the design, construction, and commissioning of the new power unit, overseen by Minister of Energy Rumen Radev. The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, situated in the town of Kozloduy along the Danube River, currently operates with two Soviet-era nuclear reactors, which are slated to transition to the use of American and French nuclear fuel in the future.

Moreover, the Bulgarian government has outlined plans to prepare for the construction of an additional reactor, Unit 8, at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, employing the same AP1000 technology. The strategy involves running the construction activities of the two new power units in parallel, aiming to complete the second unit within two to three years following the first unit's completion.

Denkov highlighted the government's decision as one of the most significant during its mandate, emphasizing that the new units' total capacity, expected to reach 2300 MW, would notably surpass the capacity of the closed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th units of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, which collectively amounted to 1760 MW.

The selected technology's notable characteristic is its ability to swiftly adjust the reactors' power, contributing significantly to the stable management of the energy system, particularly under the conditions of the Green Deal, aligning with the shift towards renewable energy sources. The decision to expand the facilities at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site is justified by the existing robust infrastructure for radioactive waste management, comprehensive physical protection, efficient radio-ecological monitoring, emergency response capabilities, and ample capacity for power connection.

In a recent development, Denkov disclosed Greece's confirmed interest in investing in the construction of new reactors at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, with an alternative option of entering a long-term electricity purchase contract. However, the decision has attracted criticism from Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who likened the projected construction to the development of Bulgarian highways "in the dark," indicating his reservations about the transparency and implementation of the nuclear project.