Kozloduy maintenance-related imports under existing contract
Bulgaria has approved two targeted sanctions exemptions for Russia covering specific nuclear activities, including maintenance-related work at Kozloduy and preservation activities tied to the unfinished Belene project. The exemption for Kozloduy permits the import of specified Russian iron and steel products under an existing contract until it expires. The government said some equipment at the operating nuclear plant is based on Russian technology, which makes certain replacement components and specialised materials difficult to obtain from alternative suppliers.
Kozloduy’s two operating reactors provide more than one-third of Bulgaria’s annual electricity generation. The government said continued access to necessary components is important for plant reliability and nuclear safety. The exemption is designed to keep narrowly defined supply channels available for these maintenance-related needs while sanctions remain in force elsewhere.
Belene preservation supervision contract for equipment stored
A second exemption allows state-owned National Electricity Company (NEK) to arrange a new contract with the Bulgarian branch of Atomstroyexport. The contract would cover supervision of preservation work on equipment manufactured for the planned Belene 1 and 2 units. The equipment requires periodic preservation to remain within manufacturers’ technical specifications.
The current supervision contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026. Russian manufacturers of the long-lead equipment have authorised Atomstroyexport to supervise the preservation work, while specialists from the original manufacturers must also participate. NEK plans to procure the service under Bulgaria’s Public Procurement Act, and the sanctions exemption removes a legal obstacle that would otherwise prevent the new contract from being concluded.
Narrow scope of exemptions while sanctions remain elsewhere
The measures leave existing Russian-linked supply and technical channels open for narrowly defined nuclear activities. They apply specifically to maintenance-related activities at Kozloduy and preservation work connected to equipment stored for Belene 1 and 2. Sanctions continue to apply outside the areas covered by the exemptions.
