The Bulgarian authorities have excluded from the anti-Russian sanctions the work of Russia’s Atomstroyexport (ASE) at the Kozloduy and Belene NPPs and have extended the contract between ASE and the Belene NPP, 24 hours reported.
The government has allowed the National Electric Company and the Kozloduy NPP to continue to work within the framework of agreements and contracts with Russian companies, making an exception for them from the imposed anti-Russian sanctions. On 24 September unit 6 at the Kozloduy NPP was shut down for scheduled repairs, and only Russian companies can provide the necessary spare parts for this.
"Changing the manufacturer will lead to the supply of equipment with different technical characteristics that are not compatible with the current equipment. Due to the direct threat to nuclear safety, the change of manufacturer is unacceptable," the government decision emphasised. The government also allowed an extension of the contract between ASE and Belene NPP, as only Russian specialists are able to provide the necessary conservation of equipment for the two power units manufactured for the station, which are stored at the construction site.
