Tsvetan Simeonov, BCCI President at the BULATOM International Nuclear Conference: „Nuclear energy is key to Bulgaria's prosperity“

Between 10 and 12 June, the traditional 25th anniversary International Nuclear Conference "Bulgarian Nuclear Energy - National, Regional and Global Energy Security" was held at the Riviera Holiday Club in Varna. Event was  organized by the Bulgarian Atomic Forum - BULATOM, a direct member of the BCCI.

The official persons, opening the event, included also Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). In his words of welcome to the audience, he noted that the development of nuclear energy is a key element in BCCI’s strategy to facilitate the business environment in Bulgaria and that’s why as early as 2024, it was set to be a priority in the BCCI’s 2024–2028 Guidelines for Activity.

“Atomic powers in Bulgaria mean energy independence — we will be an exporter rather than a consumer and there will also be lower electricity prices on the market – for businesses and for people,” Mr Simeonov added.

He noted that BCCI and BULATOM are already actively working to include Bulgarian companies as subcontractors in as many activities as possible in connection with the construction of the future Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. For Bulgarian companies, these projects represent an excellent opportunity to prove their professionalism in an extremely complex, responsible and highly paid sector — such as the construction of strategic energy powers.

BCCI President emphasised that the connection between Western Europe & Central and Eastern Europe is not good. This leads to a difference in prices and uncompetitiveness of the products manufactured in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We are seeking better connectivity to eliminate bottlenecks which will enable fairer competition within the EU and better positions in international markets.

Words of welcome were also extended by the Ambassadors in Bulgaria of: France, H.E. Marie Dumoulin; of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Dong-be Kim; the Kingdom of Belgium – H.E. Paul Lambert and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, as well as the Deputy Ambassador of the Czech Republic; the Economic Attaché of the Federal Republic of Germany, Matthias Denner; the Deputy Political and Economic Advisor at the U.S. Embassy, Jen Bauer; and the Commercial Advisor of the Canadian Embassy, John Ormond. 

On the first day of the Conference, representatives of the two partners, leading the projects — Hyundai Engineering Co. and Westinghouse — presented Reports with details on the execution of the construction of Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. Besides, the national strategies of other countries, developing nuclear powers, were presented, too. Geno Bikov from Westinghouse presented the type of reactors which will be used — AP1000 — while Yong Suk Oh from Hyundai Engineering Co. provided information on the stages of preparing the sites construction.

In an interview with the media, the Chairman of the Bulgarian Atomic Forum - BULATOM, Eng. Bogomil Manchev, stated that by 2052, Bulgaria has to build minimum 4 nuclear reactors in order to ensure its energy and national security because by that time, the useful life of the only two working units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant — Units 5 and 6 — will run out.

The second day of the Conference continued with examining the latest technologies in nuclear energy and the additional activities accompanying the use of any similar power facilities, such as maintenance, staff training, etc.

Today, the Conference third day, will be particularly important for Bulgarian companies that are willing to participate - in any form whatsoever - in the construction of Units 7 and 8. The candidates will have the opportunity to present their company activity and the ways in which they can be useful to the project’s implementation.