Environment
Environmental and energy benefits
The Kozloduy NPP Units 7 and 8 project has broad environmental and social benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy security, lower dependence on imported fossil fuels, and greater resilience of the national energy system. These effects contribute to sustainable development goals and enhance the long-term positive impact of the implementation of the project to build new nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy NPP site.
European and national decarbonization targets
In its drive towards decarbonisation, the European Union foresees nuclear energy playing an increasingly important role, particularly in the electrification of Member States' economies. This is confirmed by studies and forecasting models commissioned by the European Commission in support of the European Climate Law and its legally binding target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In November 2023, the European Parliament approved the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). It sets a target for 2030. The aim is for the Union's overall strategic capacity for the production of net zero emission technologies to reach at least 40% of annual deployment needs by 2030.
Among the ten priority technological areas, the act also includes "advanced technologies for energy production through nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors and associated high-quality fuels.".
- Nuclear energy plays an increasingly important role in the EU's decarbonization
- The European Climate Law sets a target of net zero emissions by 2050.
- NZIA sets a target for strategic capacity for net-zero emissions technologies to reach at least 40% by 2030
- Advanced nuclear technologies are also included among the priority areas.
Energy security
The REPowerEU plan, adopted by the European Union in response to the energy crisis and geopolitical risks, aims to accelerate the reduction of dependence on Russian fossil fuels by diversifying energy sources, faster deployment of clean technologies and strengthening energy security. The analysis of the plan highlights the need for sustainable baseload capacity to support the decarbonization and electrification of the economy.
The project to build Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy NPP site represents a change in the overall paradigm of the Bulgarian energy strategy, which directly corresponds to the challenges described in the analyses of the REPowerEU plan and the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the region. Similar to the experience of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria is faced with the imperative to balance between the decarbonization of the electricity sector and ensuring sovereign energy security. The implementation of the AP1000 technology is a fundamental tool for achieving this balance, with the effect on national security manifested in three main dimensions: technological autonomy, resource diversification and systemic sustainability.
- Reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels
- Providing carbon-free baseload power
- Predictable and controllable production
- Protection against geopolitical fluctuations in gas prices and carbon quotas
- Price stability guarantee for industry and households
The project directly supports REPowerEU’s goal of ending dependence on Russian fossil fuels and providing carbon-free baseload power — a key element in achieving climate neutrality by 2050. For Bulgaria, it represents the only realistic alternative to the Maritsa East coal-fired complex. Unlike renewables, the new nuclear units offer predictable and controllable generation that is protected from geopolitical fluctuations in natural gas prices and carbon quotas. This makes nuclear energy a key guarantor of price stability for both industry and households — the foundation of the country’s economic security.
Environmental aspects
The environmental aspects of the project for the construction of Units 7 and 8 on Site No. 2 of the Kozloduy NPP with AP1000 technology highlight its strategic importance in the context of European climate policy, national decarbonization goals and the new regulatory regime.
In this context, nuclear power is emerging as a critical tool for replacing carbon-intensive power plants, saving millions of tons of CO₂ per year and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, while providing baseload power with high availability and minimal emissions costs. Valuing the emissions savings reveals significant financial potential that supports the economic viability of the project and leads to a wide range of societal benefits – from improved air quality and reduced health costs to stabilizing electricity prices for industry and households.
As a result, the project acquires strategic value by offering a sustainable solution for reducing the carbon footprint, adapting to climate goals and increasing the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy under the new EU carbon regime.
- Improving air quality
- Reducing healthcare costs
- Limiting dependence on fossil fuels
- Stabilizing electricity prices
- Creating a more sustainable energy environment for future generations
