Bulgaria took a significant step towards reducing its reliance on Russian energy by switching to American Westinghouse fuel at its sole nuclear power plant, Kozloduy, on Monday.
This Soviet-designed plant, which supplies over a third of the country’s electricity, previously operated entirely on Russian fuel.
The plant’s older reactor, dating back to 1987, was successfully connected to the power grid after loading 43 Westinghouse fuel assemblies. This marks a crucial milestone in a four-year transition process aimed at diversifying Bulgaria’s energy sources.
Framatome Fuel to Power Second Reactor
In line with this diversification strategy, the French company Framatome will fuel the second reactor at Kozloduy starting in 2025, based on an agreement reached in late 2022.
Bulgaria’s Shift Towards Energy Diversification
Bulgaria, a member of both the EU and NATO, heavily relied on Moscow for energy before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, the country has since shifted its focus towards diversifying its energy sources.
Kozloduy will also see the construction of two new American-designed reactors by the 2030s, further reducing Bulgaria’s reliance on Russian energy. While Bulgaria no longer imports Russian gas for its own consumption, it remains a transit hub for Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline.
Other European Countries Follow Suit
Bulgaria’s move away from Russian energy is part of a broader trend in the region. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary have also signed agreements with Westinghouse and Framatome for nuclear fuel supply. This collective effort demonstrates a growing determination among European nations to secure diverse and reliable energy sources.