Regulatory development of new nuclear power projects
Bulgaria is a country with over 50 years of nuclear energy history. In addition to vast experience, expertise and technical capacity, this also means that the legislation in Bulgaria is in line with the highest standards and provides guarantees for the safe use of nuclear energy.
The project to build new nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy NPP site will be implemented precisely within the framework of existing legislation both in the field of nuclear energy and in the field of investment planning, territorial development, environmental assessment, and so on.
Law
The construction of the new units strictly follows the steps and stages of licensing described in the Law on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy. This law describes all the conditions that must be met in sequence in order for the new units to:
- 1) Be built on terrain that ensures that the plant will operate safely and will not harm the environment and citizens (Site Selection Permit)
- 2) Be designed in accordance with the highest engineering standards and all safety requirements of nuclear power plant systems (Design Permit)
- 3) To be built by competent contractors with the necessary capacity, in compliance with all requirements for such a complex construction (Building Permit)
- 4) To be connected to the grid and produce electricity only after passing all tests and inspections after loading with nuclear fuel (Permit for commissioning).
These permits are issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency after rigorous inspections and procedures that take months. Applications for these permits are prepared by the Company based on detailed research, analysis and evidence.
Decisions of the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers
In addition to the Law on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy, the Company strictly implements the decisions of the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly, which outline the path of the project. To date, 6 main decisions have been adopted:
Decision of the Council of Ministers of 22.01.2026.
In early 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision recognizing the importance of the project for new nuclear units for the country's national security. The government adopted specific measures to protect national security, which will be implemented during the award of the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a new nuclear power plant.
Decision of the National Assembly of 23.02.2024.
In early 2024, the National Assembly confirmed the Company's choice to select a construction company for the new units at the Kozloduy NPP. This is the Korean corporation Hyundai Engineering and Construction, which has built the majority of nuclear power plants in South Korea and which has unparalleled experience with large-scale infrastructure projects around the world. The decision also confirms the main conditions that Hyundai must meet in the construction contract. After its selection, Hyundai created a consortium with the technology supplier - Westinghouse, and both companies in partnership became the contractors of the project for new nuclear units.
Decision of the National Assembly of 18.12.2023.
At the end of 2023, the National Assembly gave a specific timeframe within which the project for Kozloduy NPP Units 7 and 8 would be implemented. This framework not only sets an ambitious schedule for the project, but also outlines the steps and stages that must be completed and their sequence.
Decision of the Council of Ministers of 25.10.2023.
In 2023, the Council of Ministers made a decision in principle for a new unit 8 of the Kozloduy NPP and assigned exploratory actions to be carried out, as well as to prepare the analyses necessary for a final decision to build a new unit 8.
The government also orders that actions be taken to select a contractor to build the nuclear power plant, as well as to hold negotiations with the technology provider, the builder, and financial institutions regarding securing a loan for the construction of a nuclear power plant.
Decision of the National Assembly of 12.01.2023.
In 2023, the National Assembly assigned the Council of Ministers to prepare an intergovernmental agreement with the USA for the use of AP1000 technology in the construction of a new nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy NPP.
Along with this, the National Assembly obliges the Council of Ministers to prepare a decision to begin preparatory actions for the construction of a second new unit with the same technology (unit 8 of Kozloduy NPP).
Decision of the Council of Ministers of 11.04.2012.
In 2012, the Council of Ministers gave its consent in principle to build a new nuclear power plant on the Kozloduy NPP site. Such a decision is necessary to initiate actions to study and prepare such a project. After this decision, all steps regarding site selection, environmental assessment, technology selection, etc. begin. The 2012 Council of Ministers decision is only for Unit 7 and is not final. This means that three final analyses must be presented (on nuclear safety, socio-economic impact, and radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel), on the basis of which the government can make a final decision to build a new nuclear unit.
