'Kozloduy NPP - New Builds' signed a new contract with Westinghouse

The company ‘Kozloduy NPP - New Builds’, a subsidiary of Kozloduy NPP, has signed a new contract for preliminary engineering work with the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company, the Ministry of Energy said on October 10. The contract is related to the construction of units 7 and 8 at the plant using AP 1000 technology. The contract is a continuation of a similar contract signed last June, which was then announced by the US company.

"The signing of the document is another important step in the process of the implementation of the strategic project for Bulgaria and the region for the construction of new nuclear capacities. The implementation of the project will create high added value for the Bulgarian economy through the active participation of the local industry in all phases. One of the most significant projects in Europe will contribute significantly to the implementation of the transition to a low-carbon economy," the press release of the Ministry of Energy says.

The first contract with Westinghouse, signed last year, is for activities to assess the advantages of the Kozloduy site for the deployment of two AP1000 nuclear units, linked to the available infrastructure, and to analyse the possibilities for Bulgarian industry to actively participate in the project.

"Upon completion of the contract activities, engineering services related to the design, licensing, project management and engineering utilization of the Kozloduy NPP site for the deployment of two new nuclear units of 3+ generation reactors are expected to be provided," the Energy Ministry further explained.

The South Korean company Hyundai is expected to be the builder of the future facilities. An engineering contract is to be signed between the three companies - Kozloduy-New Capacities NPP, Hyundai and Westinghouse. So far, the exact cost of the two units has not been announced, but it is expected to be around $14 billion.