Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about the new units 7 & 8 on Site 2 at Kozloduy NPP
The construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy NPP site is one of Bulgaria's most significant investments of the 21st century. The project is being implemented in support of European and national goals to reduce carbon emissions and ensure affordable, sustainable and reliable electricity for the country.
Nuclear energy is a proven source of clean baseload power that can provide stable electricity supplies with minimal impact on the climate. The implementation of the new capacities at Kozloduy NPP will contribute to the development of Bulgarian industry, increasing energy independence and reducing costs for businesses and households.
According to the prepared socio-economic analysis, the project for units 7 and 8 has a significant contribution to the economy:
- €3.38 billion direct effect on GDP,
- about 7.3 million tons of CO₂ emissions saved annually from each unit,
- 7,000–8,000 jobs during construction,
- about 1,200 long-term jobs during operation.
It is natural for a project of this magnitude to raise questions related to safety, environmental impact, construction activities and future operation. Unverified claims, inaccuracies or completely wrong interpretations often appear in the public domain.
This "Frequently Asked Questions" section has been created to provide clear, reliable and verified information regarding the construction of new capacities at Kozloduy NPP.
Here you will find substantiated answers to the most frequently asked questions, as well as facts that debunk common myths about the Units 7 and 8 project.
Our goal is to provide transparency, information and confidence that the project is being implemented to the highest standards of safety, sustainability and social responsibility.
The geological and seismic stability of Bulgaria, the remoteness of the project from the Black Sea, the impossibility of tsunami formation in the Danube River, as well as the use of the most modern, proven and safe AP1000 generation III+ technology, leads to the conclusion that a Fukushima-like accident is impossible to occur on the territory of the Kozloduy NPP.
The 2011 Fukushima accident was caused by a tsunami triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Japanese coast. In contrast, the region around the Kozloduy NPP, where the new facilities will be built, is characterized by seismic stability. This means that the area is not threatened by earthquakes or the occurrence of similar hazards.
The safety of the planned nuclear power plants in Kozloduy will be ensured through a series of engineering and design solutions. The technology of the planned AP1000 power reactors (PWR) that will operate at the plant guarantees maximum safety. These units are equipped with the highest class safety systems, including a double protective shell - an inner steel shell and an outer reinforced concrete shell, which provides protection from external natural influences. The design includes passive reactor cooling systems that operate thanks to natural physical processes (gravity, evaporation and condensation, energy from compressed gases and natural convection).
The accumulated operating experience of nuclear power plants around the world, including that of the leading company Westinghouse Electric Company, has led to the development of solutions that prevent the possibility of a recurrence of accidents such as those at Fukushima and Chernobyl. Moreover, technological improvements and regulatory requirements introduced since Fukushima confirm that modern nuclear power plants are safe facilities that produce clean electricity in a proven reliable manner.
Nuclear power plants operate safely in many locations around the world, including areas that are both tourist attractions and agricultural areas. During normal operation of a nuclear power plant, neither farmers nor livestock producers operating in the region of the plant are required to label their products, goods or agricultural produce. The proximity of a nuclear power plant does not affect either cultivation processes or livestock processes.
Ionizing radiation is a completely natural phenomenon that we encounter every day. Sources of radiation are: the human body, buildings, plants, animals. We encounter ionizing radiation both when drinking milk and during X-ray examinations.
During standard operation, every power plant – whether conventional or nuclear – releases small amounts of ionizing radiation into the environment, with levels that are safe for both employees and the area around the plant.
The radioecological monitoring carried out by the Kozloduy NPP covers all the main components of the environment (air, water, soil, vegetation, etc.) within a radius of 100 km around the plant on Bulgarian territory. The volume, scope and controlled parameters are regulated in a long-term program for radioecological monitoring during normal operation of the NPP, which is coordinated with the control and supervisory authorities in the country - the NRA, the National Center for Radiobiology and Radiation Protection (NCRRP) under the Ministry of Health (MH) and the Executive Environmental Agency (EEA) under the Ministry of Environment and Water (MESW). The program fully complies with the national and European regulatory requirements in the field, including Art. 35 of the EURATOM Treaty, EU Recommendations 2000/473/EURATOM and 2004/2/EURATOM. The monitoring zone includes the territory of the NPP industrial site, the 2-kilometer preventive protective measures zone (PPM), the 30-kilometer Observation Zone (OS) and reference posts within a 100-kilometer radius around the nuclear power plant. The establishment of the zones with special status around the Kozloduy NPP is related to the need to create an instrument for the development and management of the territory in accordance with the legal and regulatory framework of the country and the pan-European standards for safety and security.
Residents of nearby settlements around the plant will not be exposed to constant levels of dust and noise. Construction activities will be carried out in accordance with national and international environmental standards, which ensure minimization of environmental impact.
Active construction control measures will be implemented to ensure comfort and peace of mind for local residents.
Yes. For "Kozloduy NPP - New Builds", the development of future nuclear professionals is a strategic priority. The company has cooperation agreements with leading universities and vocational schools in the country, which train personnel in key specialties for the project. We also offer scholarship programs and internships aimed at attracting and training young talents.
Bulgaria also has highly qualified specialists working on international nuclear projects. We strive to create conditions for them to return and contribute their experience to the implementation of the new capacities.
Since approximately 8,000 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase, it will be necessary to attract foreign experts to fill the shortage of specialists and ensure the successful and timely implementation of the project.
The large-sized equipment for the project "Kozloduy NPP - New Builds" will be transported by barges along the Danube River. Kozloduy NPP has its own port and specialized infrastructure for unloading heavy loads. In this way, land traffic in the country will not be affected.
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