The Bulgarian Council of Ministers has enacted new measures to facilitate the ongoing maintenance of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant by allowing exceptions for the import of original spare parts from Russia. This decision is a strategic response to ensure the plant’s operational stability and mitigate potential technical disruptions.
This regulatory adjustment follows persistent issues with membrane equipment in Unit 6, which had been experiencing malfunctions for several months. Caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov reported that recent interventions have successfully addressed these concerns, enabling Unit 6 to operate at full capacity without further complications.
In light of the recent technical challenges, authorities have established a specialized review body tasked with examining both the technical and procedural elements surrounding the incident. Although the malfunction did not compromise safety standards for personnel or the facility itself, it did lead to decreased electricity output and substantial financial repercussions. The review body is expected to release its findings upon completion of their investigation.
The government’s decision is aimed at ensuring that planned maintenance and supply activities can proceed without interruption. Officials emphasize that this measure is crucial for preventing similar technical issues in the future and for maintaining stable operations at Bulgaria’s sole nuclear power facility, the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.
The technical difficulties began late last year when Unit 6 was taken offline as a precautionary measure after a fault was detected in a protective membrane device within its turbine system. This shutdown, executed in mid-December, allowed for necessary component replacements and helped avert further damage.
