Five show interest to build new reactors at Kozloduy NPP

The application deadline was February 2, with a commission set to review the submitted documentation starting February 5, Kozloduy NPP-New Build said in a statement on Friday, without disclosing the names of the companies.

Applicants must have experience in constructing and commissioning at least two nuclear units, along with designing nuclear or turbine island systems and supplying and installing equipment for at least two nuclear reactors within the last 15 years. They must also show a turnover of at least $6 billion (5.5 billion euro) and profit between 2018 and 2022.

Shortlisted candidates will be able to submit their offers in a separate new procedure, while applicants from the Russian Federation will not be considered, the project company said earlier.

The first new AP1000 plant should be operational before 2035, with Westinghouse overseeing the overall design authority while delegating responsibilities for the design of individual plant systems and buildings.

In December, the Bulgarian parliament approved a government proposal to inject up to 1.5 billion levs ($834.7 million/766.9 million euro) into Kozloduy NPP for the construction of two new reactors using the AP1000 technology. Last June, Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild signed a front-end engineering design contract with U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Company for a new reactor build.

Kozloduy, Bulgaria's sole nuclear power plant, currently operates two Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors of 1000 MW each, with their operational licences set to expire in 2027 and 2029, respectively.

($ = 0.9189 euro)