Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov and his counterpart from the United States, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, signed a joint statement reaffirming the objectives of the intergovernmental agreement between the two countries to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation. The document was signed during the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria.
Through the statement, both countries reaffirm their commitment to collaborate in the development and deployment of innovative modern technologies for nuclear reactors, aimed at enhancing Bulgaria’s economic security and energy resilience with the support of the United States, provided through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy.
With the signed document, Bulgaria will have the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of U.S. laboratories in conducting pre-project studies to assess the feasibility and suitability of potential sites for the accelerated deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). This study will support Bulgarian government authorities and the project company Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant – New Units EAD in preparing and justifying the next steps for implementing this innovative technology in Bulgaria. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has already announced its readiness to provide funding to review different SMR technologies to identify those best suited for Bulgarian conditions.
“Nuclear energy plays a key role in achieving the EU-wide goals for energy security and competitiveness. With the support of our partners from the United States, Bulgaria will be able to expand its decades of experience in the safe operation of nuclear facilities with the most advanced modern technologies, reinforcing its role as a leader in producing emission-free, clean, and affordable energy for the entire Southeast European region,” said Minister Zhecho Stankov during the signing of the document.
The joint statement deepens and builds upon the excellent cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States in the field of nuclear energy. It contributes significantly to the strategic partnership between the two countries, supporting Bulgaria’s leadership in Southeast Europe in providing clean energy through the deployment of the latest modern technologies in the sector.
Next week, Minister Stankov will join the Bulgarian delegation, headed by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov, in New York to take part in the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. During his US visit, Minister Stankov will engage in discussions with senior government officials and corporate executives on advancing nuclear energy development.