How long does Bulgaria have nuclear fuel?
Kozloduy NPP has nuclear fuel for the next 3 years, assured the plant to “Around the world and in our country” on BNT. Despite the war in Ukraine, the company will continue to export its spent fuel on schedule to Russia. However, what risks does a country face in terms of nuclear energy?
Kozloduy NPP buys Russian fuel for its units.
“As each revision replaces one third of the core, it is more than certain that in a few years the opportunity to use the fuel they have purchased will improve,” said Prof. Yanko Yankov, director of the Institute for Nuclear Knowledge Management. in Vienna.
The plant has signed a contract with a division of Westinghouse for the possible supply of American fuel. The Czech Temelin NPP has a similar experience, trying to import fuel from the United States.
“The problems have been identified – the distortion of the cartridges, the leaks, the leaks in the cartridges, but after many years, I think that almost ten years of trying, they have more or less solved the problems. We will probably have to use a lot from technical experience “, added Yanko Yankov.
All documents at the NPP for new fuel will be included in the Nuclear Regulatory Agency and the approved refueling of the units with alternative cartridges will be carried out in stages.
“We don’t need to have at least two to have a competition, if you open a fuel dealer, to come and compete in quality and price,” added Yanko Yankov.
However, the country was created according to the requirements that apply to the export of spent nuclear fuel. Although this is on schedule at the moment, there is no agreement now on what we would do with American fuel if a conflict with Russia arises.
“Currently, there are only two countries that recycle nuclear fuel – one is Russia, the other is France,” said Yanko Yankov.
Bulgaria has no agreements with France at this stage.
“It is very important to finally make a serious decision, to start the construction of the next nuclear power plant in Bulgaria, where it will be built, according to this is a secondary and meaningless issue,” said Yanko Yankov.
Currently, units 5 and 6 in Kozloduy AC, which produce about a third of the country’s electricity, have a license to operate until 2027 and 2029. They can apply for an additional extension.