BULGARIA

(Updated 2017)

PREAMBLE

This report provides information on the status and development of nuclear power programmes in Bulgaria, including factors related to the effective planning, decision making and implementation of the nuclear power programme that together lead to safe and economical operations of nuclear power plants.

The CNPP summarizes organizational and industrial aspects of nuclear power programmes and provides information about the relevant legislative, regulatory and international framework in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian nuclear energy programme was launched in 1974 with the commissioning of the first nuclear power unit of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. The Bulgarian nuclear facilities are concentrated at the Kozloduy NPP site, where six power units were built: the Kozloduy NPP Units 5 and 6 are in operation and the Kozloduy NPP Units 1–4 are in the process of decommissioning. Other nuclear facilities in operation on-site at the Kozloduy NPP include a pool type spent nuclear fuel interim storage facility for WWER-440 and WWER-1000 SNF assemblies, and a dry spent fuel storage facility for WWER-440 assemblies.

1. COUNTRY ENERGY OVERVIEW

1.1. Energy Information

1.1.1. Energy Policy

The energy strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria is based on national priorities and corresponds to the new lasting positive political and economic trends in the country as well as to the requirements of the European guidelines, the principles of market mechanisms and the Government’s Programme. It is determined by the requirements for ensuring sustainable economic growth and raising the living standard. The National Assembly adopted the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria upon proposal of the Council of Ministers, setting the main objectives, stages, resources and methods for energy development. With the Decision dated on 1 June 2011, promulgated in the State Gazette issue 43/07.06.2011, the National Assembly adopted the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2020.

The main goals of the Bulgarian energy industry are focused on:

Energy efficiency improvement;

  • Sustainable development through combating the negative climate changes;

  • Ensuring security of supplies by limiting the Bulgarian external dependence on imported energy sources and providing diversification of the energy mix;

  • Development of the national energy system and energy market as a part of UCTE;

  • Maintaining the high level of nuclear safety already achieved and establishing a competitive domestic energy market.

The Bulgarian energy sector is a steadily functioning system that adapts to the market conditions of the Bulgarian economy. Bulgaria is in possession of electric production capacities which by the end of 2008 covered a great part of the electric power deficit in the Balkan region. After the shutdown of Units 3 and 4 of Kozloduy NPP, an electric power deficit created serious negative consequences not only for Bulgaria but for the security of energy supply for the entire region.

Fuel energy balance implementation is of particular importance to the economy of the country as well as the production of the electric and heat power. Generalized technical and economic indicators of the energy transformation processes during electric and heat power production outline the establishing tendencies of the energy consumption across various sectors of the economy of Bulgaria in recent years and clarify to what degree the national pursuit for conduct of a policy for energy efficiency results in the anticipated stabilization and revival of the economic and public.

The share of imported energy resources, referred to the general primary energy resources consumption is 49.8% for Bulgaria, compared to 52.7% for the EU-15 in 2007.

The energy sector is a determinative section of the Bulgarian industry, especially taking into account that its structure and development are based predominantly on imported energy sources and domestic, low quality lignite coal. Moreover, the development of the sector is highly dependent on the geopolitical location on the Balkan Peninsula and in Europe. Under these circumstances, Bulgaria has unambiguously proven its willingness to conform to the priorities of European Union and make the needed steps for technical and political integration within these structures.

As a country with limited energy resources, the basis of energy sources of Bulgarian Energy Sector is well balanced — solid fuel, nuclear power, natural gas, hydro resources and utilization of new energy sources.

The Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD (BEH EAD) was established in 2008 by Decision of the Minister of Economy and Energy with its main focus on acquisition, management, evaluation and sale of shares in companies carrying out business activities in the areas of production, extraction, transmission, transiting, storage, management, distribution, sale and/or purchase of natural gas, coal, electricity, heat and other forms of energy and raw materials.

BEH EAD is a shareholding company with 100% State participation. In turn, BEH owns 100% of the share capital of: Maritsa Iztok Mines EAD, TPP Maritsa Iztok 2 EAD, NPP Kozloduy EAD, NEK EAD, ESO EAD, Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange EAD /IBEX/, Bulgargaz EAD, Bulgartransgaz EAD and Bulgartel EAD.

All companies, brought together in the holding structure, preserve their operational independence and licences, as they are all owned and directly subordinate to the corporate centre BEH EAD.

FIG. 1. BEH EAD structure.

COAL MINING

Maritsa Iztok Mines EAD is a subsidiary of BEH EAD, which is at the beginning of the technological process for electric power generation in thermal power plants in the Maritsa Iztok complex. The mines operate the largest lignite coal field in Bulgaria, which supplies coal for four thermal power plants and a factory for the production of briquettes. The total coal output at the Maritsa Iztok Mines for 2016 is 27.7 million tonnes, which represents 91% of the total output of coal used for the generation of electricity and heat in Bulgaria.

The largest share in brown coal production belongs to the coal mines in the Pernik and Bobovdol basins. Black coal production is realized in “Balkan 2000 Mines EAD”.

NATURAL GAS

The companies engaged in domestic production of natural gas are “Petroceltic” (former “Melrose Resources Sarl”) and “Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Plc.” In 2016, production of natural gas in Bulgaria marked a low of 7%, compared to 2015.

Bulgargaz EAD is a public provider of natural gas with functions related to the purchase and sale of natural gas. “Bulgartransgaz” EAD is a combined operator, related to the transmission, transiting and storage of natural gas. Recently, the company submitted a certification application to become an independent transmission operator. Both companies have been established as a result of legal and organizational restructuring of the National Gas Company, and at present are subsidiaries of BEH EAD.

Gas distribution is organized by private regional and local companies. In 2016 the major market share of 59.4% was held by the subsidiaries of “Overgas” AD, “Citigas Bulgaria” held a market share of 16%, “Aresgas” held 11.9% and other gas distribution companies held total market share of 12.3%.

OIL AND OIL PRODUCTS

The oil and oil products market in the country is completely liberalized. Among the major players in the trade in oil and oil products are LUKOIL, PETROL, OMV, SHELL, EKO, ROMPETROL, NAFTEX, PRISTA OIL, OPET and HELLENIC PETROLEUM.

LUKOIL Bulgaria EOOD, a subsidiary of the Russian Lukoil established in 1999, is a leader in the trade and distribution of fuels, polymers and petrochemicals produced by LUKOIL Neftohim Burgas AD. The group owns a chain of over 200 petrol stations all over the country with a large share of the market of oil products, fuels and polymers in South-eastern Europe.

PRISTA-OIL AD Bulgaria is a part of PRISTA-OIL Group which, through its subsidiaries all over Europe, carries out activities in the field of production, distribution, sale and trade in motor oils and industrial lubricants, greases, brake fluids, metalworking fluids and coolants. For the past 13 years, the company has developed business relationships in over 20 countries in the region, and its market share in the individual countries ranges between 5 and 55%.

PETROL AD is a private company established in 1932, a leader in the distribution of fuels in Bulgaria with over 500 petrol stations, laboratories for permanent quality control of oil products, 80 petrol bases and 3 petrol harbour terminals evenly distributed all over the country.

1.1.2. Estimated Available Energy

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Estimated available energy sources
 Fossil fuels Nuclear  Renewables
Solid1 Liquid2 Gas3 Uranium4 Hydro Other renewable
 Total amount in specific units* 1700.7 .. 12.87    

*Solid, Liquid: Million tons; Gas: Billion m3; Uranium: Metric tons; Hydro, Renewable: TW.

1 Data for 2013. The amount covers black coal, brown coal and lignite and presents a sum of proven reserves and probable reserves. Figure is calculated based on statistical data taken from the 2013 NSI statistical survey “Underground reserves covering economic subjects — holders of concessions and firms declared receipts from mining industry”. Calculation of proven and probable reserves of lignite also used administrative data of the company “Mini Maritza-Iztok” EAD published in its “Annual report for 2013” placed on the official web site of the company: http://www.marica-iztok.com/cms/user/files/finansi/2013g_MMI.pdf

Data for 2015 are available but confidential according to the Law on Statistics.

2 Symbol ‘..’ marks confidential individual data according to the Art. 25 (1) of national Law on Statistics.

3 Latest available data — for 2015. The amount covers natural gas and condensate. Source of data: NSI, Annual statistical survey “Underground reserves covering economic subjects — holders of concessions and firms declared receipts from mining industry”. The total amounts are sums of: proven reserves and probable reserves.

4 —: no data.

Source: National Statistical Institute, Sofia (http://www.nsi.bg/en)

1.1.3. Energy Statistics

TABLE 2. ENERGY STATISTICS

Year 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2014 2015 Compound annual growth rate (%)
2000 to 2015
Energy consumption [EJ]**
- Total 0.80 0.84 0.75 0.76 0.77 -0.37
- Solids*** 0.28 0.29 0.29 0.27 0.28 -0.26
- Liquids 0.18 0.21 0.17 0.17 0.18 -0.41
- Gases 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.10 0.11 -1.29
- Nuclear 0.21 0.20 0.16 0.17 0.16 -1.50
- Hydro 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 5.80
- Other/ renewables 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.06 8.16
Energy production [EJ]
- Total 0.43 0.44 0.45 0.47 0.48 0.64
- Solids*** 0.19 0.17 0.21 0.21 0.24 0.72
- Liquids 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
- Gases 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00
- Nuclear 0.21 0.20 0.16 0.17 0.16 -1.50
- Hydro 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 5.08
-Other/renewables 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.06 8.16
Net import (Import - Export) [EJ]
- Total 0.37 0.40 0.30 0.27 0.29 -2.23

*Latest available data.

**Gross energy consumption = Indigenous production + From other sources + Imports - Exports - International marine bunkers + Stock changes.

***Solid fuels include coal, lignite.

Source: National Statistical Institute, Sofia (http://www.nsi.bg/en).

1.2. The Electricity System

1.2.1. Electricity Policy and Decision Making Process

The Energy Strategy is a central document of the national energy policy that was approved by the Council of Ministers and passed by the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. The present National Energy Strategy through 2020 reflects the political vision of the Government of European Development of Bulgaria pursuant to the up to date European energy policy framework and the global trends in the development of energy technologies.

The full text of the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria till 2020 is available here: http://www.mi.government.bg/files/useruploads/files/epsp/23_energy_strategy2020%D0%95ng_.pdf

1.2.2. Structure of Electric Power Sector

Bulgaria has a diverse electricity generation mix, including nuclear, thermal and renewable energy sources (hydro, wind, solar and biomass).

Electricity is generated by energy companies licensed for generation according to the procedure established by the Energy Act. Issuance of a licence is not required for:

  1. Production of electric energy by an entity possessing a power plant with total installed electric capacity up to 5 ?W;

  2. Production of heat energy by an entity possessing a power plant with total installed heat capacity up to 10 MW;

  3. Transmission of heat energy by a person possessing a heat transmission network to which power plants with total installed capacity up to 10 MW are connected;

  4. Production of heat energy for one’s own consumption only;

  5. Production of electric energy for one’s own consumption only.

Electricity producers are obligated to maintain stocks of fuels, including local hard fuels, in quantities guaranteeing sustained and reliable generation. The terms and procedure for the building, maintenance of stocks of fuel and control are established by an ordinance of the Minister of Energy.

The National Electric Company EAD is a subsidiary of BEH EAD, which carries out licensed activities in:

Transmission, and electricity generation from hydropower plants and pumped storage hydroelectric power plants (2713 MW);

  • Public supply of electric power with obligations to:

    • Purchase electric power determined within the availability under Article 21, Para. 1, Item 21 for provision of electricity to the end suppliers;

    • Purchase electric power under long term agreements for purchase of availability and electricity;

    • Purchase electric power generated from renewable sources and high efficiency cogeneration under Article 93a;

    • Sell electric power to the end suppliers to meet the electricity consumption needs of household and non-household end clients connected to the LV distribution network;

    • Sell electric power to the electric power transmission system operator and the operators of distribution networks to compensate for transmission and distribution of technological costs.

  • Supply electric power from a supplier of last resort to consumers connected to the power transmission system or to the MV power distribution network that have not selected another electricity supplier or to whom the selected supplier does not deliver for reasons beyond the control of the customer;

  • Electricity trade.

In fulfilment of the requirements of the Third Energy Liberalization Package, introduced in the country with the amendments to the Energy Act of 2012 (prom. SG, issue 54 of 2012 in effect from 17 July 2012), as of 4 February 2014 ESO EAD together with the transmission assets is separated from NEK EAD and the two companies will remain in the structure of BEH EAD.

ESO EAD holds a certification for transmission of electric power (Decision of State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) No. ?-205 of 18 December 2013). As of 4 February 2014 ESO EAD is the owner of the power transmission grid.

“Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange” (IBEX) ??D holds a licence to operate the electricity exchange in Bulgaria for a period of 10 years. IBEX EAD was established in January 2014. In January 2016, IBEX launched the “day ahead” market.

The distribution of electricity on the regulated market is performed by regional companies — operators of the electricity distribution network — ENERGO-PRO Grid AD (South-east Bulgaria) and CEZ Distribution Bulgaria AD (West Bulgaria), whose majority shareholders are respectively Energo-Pro a.s., Czech Republic and CEZ a.s., Czech Republic. EVN Bulgaria Distribution AD operates in South-west Bulgaria; its major shareholder is EVN AG, Austria. The end suppliers on the regulated market in the respective licensed territories mentioned above are ENERGO-PRO Sales AD, CEZ Electro Bulgaria AD and EVN Bulgaria Electricity Supply AD.

Since 1 July 2007, the Bulgarian energy market has been fully liberalized, which means that each user has a legal right to choose a provider and has free and fair access to the network for transmission of electricity to the place of consumption. A market based model is implemented based on regulated third party access to the electricity transmission network, where transactions are concluded through direct bilateral contracts between producers or traders and consumers, and where insufficient quantities are purchased and the surplus under bilateral contracts is sold in the balancing market. During the transition period of gradual liberalization, in parallel with the free segment where prices are freely negotiated between the parties to the transactions that are subject to balancing, a segment subsists in which electricity transactions are concluded as per the EWRC regulated prices.

The gross electric power generation in 2016 is 44.5 TWh, which is 8.1% less than the generation in 2015. There is an increase in the generation of energy by NPP (+2.6%), and HPSPP (+7.2%). There is a decrease in gross electricity generation by TPP (-13.4%), RES (-18.6%), FHPP (-10.7%) and PSHPP (-7.6%) in 2016 compared to 2015.

FIG. 2. Structure of gross electricity generation by fuel.

The structure of electric power generation is dominated by thermal power plants using coal, followed by the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. Major sources for the generation of electrical power are local coal and nuclear fuel.

The share of local energy resources in electric power generation in 2016 was 95.3%, while that of imported resources was 4.7% (nuclear energy was reported as a local energy resource).

Gross domestic electricity consumption in 2016 was 38.7 TWh, demonstrating an increase of 0.3% compared to 2015.

Generation of electrical power from RES accounted for 16.9% of gross domestic consumption of energy in 2016.

End consumption of electricity in the country in 2016 amounted to 30.1 TWh, which is 1.8% more than in 2015, including the industrial and public sectors (19 TWh) and the household sector (10.7 TWh).

Detailed information about the electric power sector is available in the Bulletin on the State and development of the energy sector in the Republic of Bulgaria at the Ministry of Energy web site:

Bulletin on the State and development of the Energy sector in the Republic of Bulgaria (2015) in English: https://www.me.government.bg/files/useruploads/files/eoos/buleti_-energy-_2015-eng.pdf.

1.2.3. Main Indicators

TABLE 3. INSTALLED CAPACITY ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

Year 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015* Compound annual growth rate (%)
2000 to 2015
Capacity of electrical plants (GWe)
- Thermal 6 7 5 4 -1.29
- Hydro 2 3 3 3 2.94
- Nuclear 4 3 2 2 -4.83
- Wind 0 0 0 1 0.00
- Geothermal 0 0 0 0 0.00
- Other renewable 0 0 0 1 0.00
- Total 12 13 13 11 0.00
Electricity production (TWh)
- Thermal 20 21 25 25 1.31
- Hydro 3 5 6 6 3.72
- Nuclear 18 18 15 15 -0.84
- Wind 0 0 1 1 0.00
- Geothermal 0 0 0 0 0.00
- Other renewable 0 0 0 1 0.00
- Total** 41 44 47 48 0.98
Total electricity consumption (TWh) 32 32 33 33 0.22

*Latest available data.

**Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

Source: National Statistical Institute, Sofia (http://www.nsi.bg/en).

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

Year 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015*
Energy consumption per capita (GJ/capita) 98.39 108.86 98.81 108.07
Electricity consumption per capita (kWh/capita)
Electricity production/energy production (%) 34.9 -36.4 37.8 36.4
Nuclear/total electricity (%) 43.9 40.9 31.9 31.3
Ratio of external dependency (%)** 46.0 47.5 40.5 36.7

*Latest available data.

**Net import/Total energy consumption. For the calculation of the indicator NSI uses data on gross energy consumption, prepared on the basis of the real reported quantities of energy. Data of NSI differ from those of Eurostat, because for the calculation of the indicator Eurostat uses data on gross inland energy consumption, in which the production of nuclear energy is calculated by using of average coefficient for the European Union.

Source: National Statistical Institute, Sofia (http://www.nsi.bg/en).

2. NUCLEAR POWER SITUATION

2.1. Historical Development and Current Organizational Structure

2.1.1. Overview

The beginning of peaceful nuclear development in Bulgaria was set after the Geneva “Atoms for Peace” conference in 1956 and has remained the preferred strategy of the political leadership ever since. The first step was the construction and commissioning of the IRT-2000 research reactor and a large scale programme for isotope applications and scientific research. The reactor was put into operation in 1961 and stopped by decision of CUAEPP in 1989. In May 1999 it was finally shut down by a decision of the Council of Ministers (CM). On 6 July 2001, a Decision was issued by CM for reconstruction and partial decommissioning of the research reactor IRT-2000 and its conversion into a reactor with low power of 200 kW.

In 1966, an agreement with the Soviet Union was signed for the delivery of commercial reactors for electricity generation. This agreement laid down the foundations of the Bulgarian nuclear power programme.

The first two units, WWER 440/230 models, were built and put into operation in 1974 and 1975 respectively. These two units were permanently shut down on 31 December 2002, under decision by the Council of Ministers. By means of Decision No. 839 of the Council of Ministers, dated 20 December 2008, Units 1 and 2 were declared facilities for radioactive waste management and were transferred to the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste (SE RAW). On 18 October 2010, BNRA issued licences to SE RAW for operation of Units 1 and 2 as facilities for radioactive waste management, subject to decommissioning. On 14 November 2014, BNRA issued SERAW licences for decommissioning of Units 1 and 2 of Kozloduy NPP. The other two reactors were completed and connected to the grid in 1980 and 1982 accordingly. By that time, the model 230 was improved to model 213, which is the reason why Units 3 and 4 incorporate many of the safety characteristics of the 213s. They were permanently shut down on 31 December 2006. By means of Decision No. 1038 of the Council of Ministers, dated 19 December 2006, Units 3 and 4 were declared facilities for radioactive waste management and were transferred to SE RAW. On 25 February 2013, the BNRA issued licences to the SE RAW for operation of Units 3 and 4 as facilities for radioactive waste management, subject to decommissioning. On 28 July 2016, the BNRA issued to the SE RAW licences for the decommissioning of Units 3 and 4 of Kozloduy NPP, valid until 2026.

The further increase in demand for electricity resulted in the construction of two additional 1000 MW units, each drawing from the WWER-1000/320 model. Units 5 and 6 of Kozloduy NPP were commissioned in 1987 and 1991 respectively and have operating licences valid until 2017 and 2019 respectively.

There are two storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel from WWER reactors at the Kozloduy NPP site.

In 1990, a wet type spent nuclear fuel storage facility was commissioned to store the spent nuclear fuel from WWER-440 and WWER-1000 units. The storage facility is operated in accordance with the operating licence issued by the BNRA in 2014, which is valid for 10 years.

Next to the wet SNF storage, a dry storage facility was constructed for storing the SNF from WWER-440 Units 1–4 of Kozloduy NPP, where the fuel is stored in CONSTOR 440/84 type containers.

In accordance with the commissioning permit issued on 24 November 2011 by the BNRA, six CONSTOR 440/84 containers were loaded and transferred to the dry storage facility for long term storage. On 28 January 2016, the BNRA issued a licence for operation of the DSF for a period of 10 years.

A second site was selected in the early 1980s near the town of Belene. The site was arranged with the entire necessary infrastructure to accommodate six 1000 MW units. Completion progress of the first unit had reached about 40% from the construction point of view and 80% in terms of delivery of equipment in 1991, when, due to lack of financial resources and some opposition from the nearby communities, the construction was frozen.

In 2002, the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria decided to carry out preliminary studies, and two years later the Council of Ministers took the decision to resume the Belene NPP project.

On 8 April 2005, the Council of Ministers decided to build a New Nuclear Unit (NNU) in Bulgaria. The decision identifies construction of a nuclear power plant with maximum electric power of 2000 MW, based on pressurized water reactor technology. On 29 March 2012 the Council of Ministers took another decision repealing all previous decisions related to the construction of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant. This decision being adopted meant that all further (subsequent) actions related to the Belene project were terminated.

At present, the project for the construction of a new nuclear unit at the site of Kozloduy NPP remains at the feasibility stage.

The following facilities for radioactive waste have been built over the years:

Permanent disposal facility for radioactive waste, Novi Han, commissioned in 1964;

  • Specialized division “Radioactive waste” Kozloduy, commissioned in 1996.

The project for the construction of a National Disposal Facility for radioactive waste (NDF) is underway. This facility is intended for disposal of conditioned short lived low and intermediate level radioactive waste from the nuclear facilities and nuclear applications. The Radiana site selected for that purpose is located in the vicinity of the Kozloduy NPP site.

2.1.2. Current Organizational Chart(s)

FIG. 3. Institutions involved in the nuclear sector.

The Republic of Bulgaria has the necessary institutions for the formation and implementation of the national policy on safe use of nuclear energy and implementation of State regulation and control. Responsibilities and functions are clearly defined and distributed among the various institutions as follows:

Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA) is the regulatory body on nuclear safety and radiation protection, and management of radioactive waste (RAW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). BNRA develops regulatory requirements for nuclear safety and radiation protection, issues licences and permits, supervises and imposes coercive measures to comply with legal requirements, etc.

  • Ministry of Energy is responsible for the State policy in the field of energy development and implements the energy policy of the country. The ministry proposes and implements the national strategy for energy development and the national strategy for managing spent fuel and radioactive waste.

  • Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) implements the State policy on control of prices of the electricity generated and issues licences for the production of electricity and thermal energy.

  • Ministry of Health (MoH) implements the state policy in the field of protection of human health and establishes mandatory health standards, requirements and rules with regard to all matters of hygiene, radiation protection and epidemiology. Through its bodies, the ministry performs specialized functions in the field of health protection in the use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation. Such specialized bodies are the National Centre for Radiobiology and Radiation Protection and Radiation Control departments at the regional health inspectorates.

  • Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) manages, coordinates and supervises the development and implementation of the state policy in the field of environmental protection, conservation and use of water and earth resources. The Ministry manages the National System for Environmental Monitoring and it is the competent decision making authority for environmental impact assessment.

  • Ministry of Interior (MOI) ensures the security of nuclear facilities and related sites designated as vital in terms of physical protection. The Ministry, through the General Directorate “Fire Safety and Protection of Population Service” coordinates the activities on the protection of population and the national economy in cases of disasters and emergencies, including application of risk assessment, preventive measures, rescue and urgent remedial work and provision of international assistance.

  • Kozloduy NPP Plc. is the operator of the only nuclear power plant in Bulgaria. The plant provides more than a third of the country’s electricity.

  • State Enterprise Radioactive Waste was created by decision of the Bulgarian Government under the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy (ASUNE). Its task is to plan, design and construct the necessary facilities to transport, store and manage radioactive waste in the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Minister of Transport and Communications and the Minister of Defense perform specialized functions in the field of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation.

According to Art. 5 from ASUNE, coordination between the institutions is a responsibility of the BNRA Chairman.

2.2. Nuclear Power Plants: Overview

2.2.1. Status and Performance of Nuclear Power Plants

There are six nuclear units installed at the site of Kozloduy NPP that were commissioned between 1974 and 1991, four of which are WWER-440 units with a net capacity of 408 MW(e) and two of which are WWER-1000 units with a net capacity of 963 MW(e), all imported from the former USSR (Table 5).

TABLE 5. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Reactor Unit Type Net
Capacity
[MW(e)]
Status Operator Reactor
Supplier
Construction
Date
First
Criticality
Date
First Grid
Date
Commercial
Date
Shutdown
Date
UCF
for
2017
KOZLODUY-5 PWR 963 Operational KOZNPP AEE 1980-07-09 1987-11-05 1987-11-29 1988-12-23 86.3
KOZLODUY-6 PWR 963 Operational KOZNPP AEE 1982-04-01 1991-05-29 1991-08-02 1993-12-30 88.4
KOZLODUY-1 PWR 408 Permanent Shutdown KOZNPP AEE 1970-04-01 1974-06-30 1974-07-24 1974-10-28 2002-12-31
KOZLODUY-2 PWR 408 Permanent Shutdown KOZNPP AEE 1970-04-01 1975-08-22 1975-08-24 1975-11-10 2002-12-31
KOZLODUY-3 PWR 408 Permanent Shutdown KOZNPP AEE 1973-10-01 1980-12-04 1980-12-17 1981-01-20 2006-12-31
KOZLODUY-4 PWR 408 Permanent Shutdown KOZNPP AEE 1973-10-01 1982-04-25 1982-05-17 1982-06-20 2006-12-31
BELENE-1 PWR 953 Cancelled Constr. KOZNPP JSC ASE 1987-01-01 2012-03-28
BELENE-2 PWR 953 Cancelled Constr. KOZNPP JSC ASE 1987-03-31 2012-03-28
Data source: IAEA - Power Reactor Information System (PRIS).
Note: Table is completely generated from PRIS data to reflect the latest available information and may be more up to date than the text of the report.

Units 1–4 were shut down before the term set following the governmental decision. The shutdown units are in the process of decommissioning. Since March 2013, the units have been part of the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste and do not belong to the plant assets.

Station
Type
Net capacity
Operator
Status
Reactor supplier
Construction date
Grid
Station
Type
Net capacity
BELENE-1
PWR
1000

Cancelled
ASE
1 January 1987




BELENE-2
PWR
1000

Cancelled
ASE
31 March 1987




According to the Governmental decision No. 250 of 28 March 2012, the Belene NPP project was terminated.

FIG. 4. Location of the Kolzoduy NPP.

In the period from 2007 to 2016, only two out of six nuclear units of Kozloduy NPP site were in operation. The plant’s share in the total electricity generation in Bulgaria was 33–35%.

FIG. 5. Nuclear power share in Bulgarian energy sector.

Following the maximum level of electricity generation at 20 221 719 MWh in 2002 with six units in operation and 19 493 219 MWh in 2006 with four units in operation, the plants’ gross electricity generation for Units 5 and 6 (which are in operation) typically ranges between 15 300 000 and 16 000 000 MWh.

2.2.2. Plant Upgrading, Plant Life Management and Licence Renewals

The modernization of Units 5 and 6 at Kozloduy NPP completed in the period from 1998 to 2008 achieved results which were the basis for continuing the activities for development of the programme to ensure the operational life during the long term operation (LTO).

In 2009, a programme for the preparation of the operating lifetime extension of Units 5 and 6 at Kozloduy NP was developed. The programme includes two stages: Stage 1 — Complex assessment and residual lifetime assessment of the equipment and facilities of Units 5 and 6 at Kozloduy NPP, and Stage 2 — Investment project for implementing the plant life extension programme, within the period from 2014 to 2017 for Unit 5, and from 2016 to 2019 for Unit 6;

The measures in the programme for the preparation of the operating lifetime extension of Unit 5 were implemented within the planned period, whereas those for Unit 6 are underway.

Kozloduy NPP Units 5 and 6 are operated in accordance with the current operating licences in force issued by the BNRA Chairman. The terms of validity of the licences for Units 5 and 6 are 2017 and 2019, respectively. ?he regulatory requirements for licence renewal application are in accordance with the Regulation and the ASUNE. The specific requirements of the BNRA in terms of plant lifetime extension beyond the original design lifetime are described in the current licences.

In 2016, the PSR of Unit 5 was carried out, and as a result an integrated programme for the implementation of the measures resulting from the PSR of Unit 5 was developed. This programme and its safety analysis report for Unit 5 were updated with the results from Stage 2 of the Lifetime Extension Project and were submitted to the BNRA at the end of 2016 as part of the documentation package required for the plant renewal licence. For Unit 6, these activities should be completed by the end of 2018.

The activities related to the thermal power uprate of Units 5 and 6 up to 3120 MW have been planned and are in the process of implementation.

In 2016, the order of the BNRA chairman for change in the operating licence of Unit 6 at Kozloduy NPP was issued. The integrated programme for the power uprate is in the process of implementation.

2.2.3. Permanent Shutdown and Decommissioning Process

Kozloduy NPP Units 1–4 are facilities in the process of decommissioning with reactor type WWER-440, model ?-230 (Units 1 and 2), and enhanced model ?-230 (Units 3 and 4). The units were shut down in 2002 and 2006, respectively, in conformity with commitments undertaken by the Republic of Bulgaria during its accession to the European Union. With a decree of the Council of Ministers concerning Units 1–2, dated 20 December 2008, and another decree of 19 December 2012 concerning Units 3–4, these units were declared facilities for management of radioactive waste (RAW) and together with the required movable and immovable property were transferred to the State Enterprise for Radioactive Waste State (SE RAW). In 2014 and 2016, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency issued decommissioning licences, respectively, for Units 1–2, and Units 3–4.

TABLE 6. STATUS OF DECOMMISSIONING PROCESS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Reactor unit Shutdown reason Decommissioning strategy Current decommissioning phase Current fuel management phase Decommissioning licensee Licence terminated year
Kozloduy1 Others Dd+PD+SE* Partial dismantling 3,6,7** SE RAW 2024
Kozloduy2 Others Dd+PD+SE Partial dismantling 3,6,7 SE RAW 2024
Kozloduy3 Others Dd+PD+SE Partial dismantling 3,7 SE RAW 2026
Kozloduy4 Others Dd+PD+SE Partial dismantling 3,6,7 SE RAW 2026

*Deferred dismantling, including partial dismantling and placing remaining radiological areas into safe enclosure.

** 3 — Storage in an on-site facility; 6 — Underwater storage period; 7 — Dry storage period.

2.3. Future Development of Nuclear Power Sector

2.3.1. Nuclear Power Development Strategy

According to the Council of Ministers Decision taken in principle in 2012, Bulgaria envisages construction of a new build reactor at Kozloduy NPP site based on the newest generation III or III+ PWR technology with thermal spectrum neutrons moderated and cooled by light water (K7 unit). The project implementation should be based on the strategic investor involvement in accordance with the State Aid Rules of the European Commission and without State loans.

In this respect, a Kozloduy NPP-New Build Project Company (KNPP-New Build) was established in May 2012. The initial project company scope of activities was aimed at conducting the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment procedure, and initiating the procedure for site selection and approval.

According to domestic nuclear law, a nuclear power plant shall be built pursuant to a decision in essence of the Council of Ministers. The proposal for capacity construction shall be submitted by the Minister of Energy, accompanied by an assessment of:

Nuclear safety and radiation protection analyses, environmental impact and physical protection analyses;

  • The social and economic significance of the construction of a nuclear power plant for the nation or for particular regions;

  • Radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel to be generated, as well as their management.

Detailed information about the KNPP-New Build management and staffing, as well as the activities carried out by the company is available at http://www.npp-nb.bg/.

TABLE 7. PLANNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Reactor unit Owner Type Capacity (MWe) Expected construction start year Expected commercial year
KNPP-7
Kozloduy 7
Kozloduy NPP–
New Build Plc
PWR up to 1200 MW  n.a.  n.a. 

2.4. Organizations Involved in Construction of NPPs

There are currently no new nuclear power plant construction related activities taking place in Bulgaria.

2.5. Organizations Involved in Operation of NPPs

According to Resolution No. 70, dated 20 February 2001, adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, all nuclear facilities and other equipment of Kozloduy NPP Plc are identified as one nuclear installation and Kozloduy NPP Plc. is the “Nuclear Installation Operator”, in terms of the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, and in this role, the bearer of the relevant civil liability. As a “Licence Holder” according to the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the company also bears liability in nuclear safety. The company holds a licence issued by the State Energy Regulation Commission for production of electrical and thermal energy (Decision No. 049 dated 11 December 2000 by SERC).

The sole shareholder of the Company is the Bulgarian Energy Holding.

Kozloduy NPP Plc is a separate corporate body, registered under the Commercial Law, which has an independent balance and bank accounts. Kozloduy NPP Plc is managed under a one tier management system, the managing bodies being the Sole Shareholder and the Board of Directors. Kozloduy NPP Plc organizes and manages its commercial activities in accordance with the Statute and the Corporate Structure and Activity Code.

2.6. Organizations Involved in Decommissioning of NPPs

Organizations involved in decommissioning KNPP Units 1–4:

Ministry of Energy — monitors the status of the decommissioning process.

  • State Enterprise Radioactive Waste — carries out the decommissioning process and the preparatory work for decommissioning at Units 1–4. All four units have been issued decommissioning licences.

  • SERAW performs its activities on decommissioning Units 1–4 of Kozloduy NPP through one of its four structural units, namely the Specialised Division “Decommissioning of Units 1–4”, which is situated at Kozloduy NPP.

  • Kozloduy NPP — operates the dry storage facility for the WWER-440 SF. The facility has been funded by Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund.

In the context of the negotiations for accession to the European Union, Bulgaria made the commitment to close and subsequently decommission KNPP Units 1 to 4 (Units 1 and 2 were shut down in 2002 and Units 3 and 4 shut down in 2006).

Recognizing the exceptional social, economic and financial burden of the commitment, the European Union decided to provide a financial contribution to support the decommissioning activities carried out at KNPP Units1–4. Therefore, Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund (KIDSF) was established, administered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in order to support the decommissioning activities and to mitigate the negative consequences of the units’ early closure.

The following major projects are financed by KIDSF:

Project for construction, commissioning and operation of a national near surface disposal facility for short lived low and intermediate-level waste;

  • Facility for Treatment of Radioactive Waste with High Volume Reduction Factor (Plasma Melting Facility);

  • Project for treatment of the wet solid waste of evaporator concentrates;

  • Project for evaluation of the Material Backlog and Radiological Inventory of KNPP Units 1–4;

  • Size reduction and decontamination workshop.

At national level, a Decommissioning Fund has been established for financing the nuclear facilities decommissioning process.

2.7. Fuel Cycle Including Waste Management

In September 2015, the Strategy on spent fuel (SF) and radioactive waste (RAW) management until 2030 was updated by the Council of Ministers in order to take into account any changes in national policy and nuclear infrastructure as well as any amendments and modifications in national legislative, regulatory and administrative frameworks.

The strategy lays down the overall vision, objectives and principles on safe SF and RAW management covering all types and stages of their management from generation to disposal. The document outlines activities planned and already implemented, the operational state of existing facilities as well as the further steps needed to be taken for constructing the new ones.

Spent fuel management — Bulgaria will continue transporting SF assemblies to the Russian Federation for storage and reprocessing. This approach is assessed as the safest and most economical alternative for SF management.

  • RAW management — Bulgaria’s main priority project is construction, commissioning and operation of a national near surface disposal facility for short lived low and intermediate level waste (National Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility-NDF). The trench type repository is foreseen to be constructed with multibarrier protection, including natural and engineered barriers, and commissioned in 2021. Concerning the HLW management, an above ground facility for storage of the waste from SF reprocessing with a period of operation up to 100 years is envisaged to be constructed at the KNPP site. Concerning the other type of RAW, the following actions are envisaged: improvement of the processes for RAW treatment and primary processing, optimization of processes for RAW reduction both in terms of activity and volume, and the commissioning of a facility for secondary processing and conditioning of RAW.

The Strategy on SF and RAW until 2030 is available at the Ministry of Energy website: https://www.me.government.bg/bg/themes/aktualizirana-strategiya-za-upravlenie-na-otraboteno-yadreno-gorivo-i-radioaktivni-otpadaci-do-2030-g-1657-0.html

Fuel Cycle

The Kozloduy NPP fuel cycle does not include uranium purchase, conversion or enrichment. It does, however, include fuel assemblies fabrication by TVEL, interim storage, spent fuel transportation, reprocessing and, in the future, disposal of vitrified HLW, based on the agreement between Bulgaria and the Russian Federation and following long term commercial contracts for fuel supply and spent fuel reprocessing. Diversification options are being surveyed in terms of supply of enriched uranium for the fabrication of fuel assemblies by the current supplier as well as alternative suppliers of fuel assemblies.

Kozloduy NPP has been increasing the burnup and achieved a reduction of spent fuel generation during transition to a four year fuel cycle. These design changes have also led to a decrease of specific consumption of natural uranium. In 2016 Kozloduy NPP made a transition to a new fuel assembly which can reach higher BU and has better performance. This transition will also lead to a further reduction of the generated SNF of up to 12.5%.

In 2015, the Strategy for the Management of SNF and RAW until 2030 was updated. Two options for spent fuel management were analysed — reprocessing and interim storage. Until now, the country has adopted a responsible NFC policy — after the irradiation of the fuel in the reactor core, the spent fuel is either returned for reprocessing to the Russian Federation, with subsequent return of the high level radioactive waste (HLW), or it is stored on Kozloduy NPP site, in the spent fuel pools (SFP) and the spent fuel storage facilities (Wet SFSF) with an option for subsequent future transportation of the SNF for technological storage and reprocessing under favourable economic conditions for that.

Spent Fuel Management

The spent nuclear fuel (SNF/SF) from WWER-1000 reactors is stored at the plant site under conditions which provide safety for the environment and population. The SF removed from the reactors is stored in pools located near the reactors. After at least 3 years storage in special by-the-reactor spent nuclear fuel pools, the fuel is removed to a specially constructed wet spent fuel storage facility for storage of spent nuclear fuel from all units.

On the site of Kozloduy NPP there are two spent nuclear fuel storage facilities. WSFSF for storage of the fuel from the two types of reactors (WWER-1000 and WWER-440), and DSFSF for storage only of the fuel from the WWER-440.

In 1990, the construction of a pool type wet spent fuel storage facility (WSFSF) on the site of the Kozloduy NPP was completed. It is located in a separate building on the territory of Kozloduy NPP. According to the design of the SFSF, the assemblies can be stored in it for a period of 30 years. In 1991, a programme for enhancement of the safety of the SFSF was elaborated and is now being updated. In 1992, the new seismic characteristics of the Kozloduy NPP site were taken into account in the programme.

Two independent environmental assessments of the WSFSF were carried out: an expert review performed by a team from the Risk Engineering Company as well as a thorough report of the environmental impact developed by a group of specialists from Sofia University “Kliment Ohridski”. The results of these assessments do not show any notable negative impact on the environment from the WSFSF operation. In 2014, the operational licence of the WSFSF was renewed until 2024.

In 2011, the construction of a dry storage facility for the WWER-440 SNF was completed. It has a capacity for 72 casks of the type CONSTOR, each with capacity for 84 spent fuel assemblies with a 50 year storage period. This storage facility is a separate building adjacent to the wet SNF storage facility and it has the capacity to accommodate all the WWER-440 SNF currently in wet storage. At the end of November 2011, the BNRA issued a permit for putting the DSFSF into operation which included acceptance for storage of 6 loaded CONSTOR 440/84 casks. During the period June 2012–June 2014, in accordance with the above permit, 6 CONSTOR 440/84 casks loaded with spent nuclear fuel from the WWER reactors were accepted. In January 2016 an operational licence was issued for the dry spent fuel storage facility for a period of 10 years. As of 2016, the transfer of WWER-440 fuel from the wet into the dry SFSF was started, with a maximum of 5 CONSTOR casks transferred per year, until the final transfer of all the available WWER-440 assemblies. This will result in yearly emptying of at least 8 SNF baskets in the wet storage facility and their immediate replacement with another 8 SNF baskets from the WWER-1000 reactors, which will suffice to ensure enough room for storage in the SFPs as well as normal operation of the Kozloduy NPP Units 5 and 6 until 2030.

The updated Strategy for the Management of SNF and RAW until 2030 allows for continuation of the yearly shipment of 50 tons of SNF for storage and reprocessing. This can be accomplished in the presence of favourable economic factors and international security guaranteeing safe transport to the reprocessing plant.

In the period 2009–2014, 2400 spent fuel assemblies from WWER-440 units were transported to the Russian Federation for reprocessing. No WWER-440 fuel assemblies were transported to the Russian Federation since 2014.

Since 2008, no WWER-1000 fuel assemblies have been transported to Russia.

The spent fuel inventory at the reactor pools and SFSF by 31.12.2016 is shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8. SPENT FUEL INVENTORY

Storage
WWER-440
WWER-1000
Total
Fuel assemblies
Fuel baskets/CONSTOR
Fuel assemblies
Fuel baskets
Fuel assemblies
Fuel baskets/CONSTOR
Fuel assemblies
At reactor pools 5, 6



651

651
WSFSF
83
2340
53
636
136
2976
DSFSF
9
756


9
756

The nuclear operator has the responsibility to manage and operate power Units 5 and 6 and WSFSF and DSFSF, including their related auxiliary facilities and technological systems for collecting, processing and storage of RAW.

During the operation of the nuclear power plant, liquid and solid radioactive wastes are generated.

The conditions created for safe storage of SNF at the plant site, together with the fact that part of the fuel is transported for reprocessing and long term storage in Russian Federation, provide a middle term solution for the SNF safe management.

The exact volume for the SNF transported for reprocessing in the period 1998–2014, with the respective qualitative and quantitative characteristics will be defined by signing the relevant contracts.

The as-designed storage facilities for Units 5 and 6 are located in the Auxiliary Building (AB) of Units 5 and 6 and consist of:

Low Level Solid Waste Storage: 18 well type cells with a total net volume of 2486 m3;

  • Intermediate Level Solid Waste Storage: 3 well type cells with total net volume of 224 m3;

  • Evaporator Concentrate Storage: 6 stainless tanks with total net volume of 2838 m3;

  • Emergency Storage Capacity for Liquid Waste: 1 stainless tank with net volume of 746 m3;

  • Ion Exchange Resin Storage: 2 stainless steel tanks with net volume of 95 m3 each.

The waste water arising during operation of Units 5 and 6 is collected in tanks with a total net volume of 200 m3 where the major particulate impurities are sedimented. The smaller particulate impurities are removed by mechanical filters. Subsequently, the water is processed by an evaporator operating at atmospheric pressure.

The distillate undergoes additional cleaning by ion exchange filters, if needed, and is released into the environment after radiation monitoring, as authorized discharge. The concentrate from evaporation is stored in tanks located in the AB. The annual generation of concentrate is between 150 m3 and 250 m3.

Since 2004, concentrate is periodically pumped out from the storage tanks and transferred by a pipeline for processing to the SE RAW, where it is processed by further concentration, conditioned into a cement matrix and loaded into reinforced concrete containers.

The annually generated quantities of concentrate versus the annually processed quantities within the period 2011–2016 are presented in Figure 6.

FIG. 6. Evaporated concentrate generated and delivered for processing.

FIG. 7. Status of the concentrate storage tanks at the end of 2016.

Compliance of the concentrate with the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) established by SE RAW is verified by measurement of the total salt content, boric acid content, surface active substance content and radionuclide content (gamma emitters and total alpha activity).

Ion exchange resins are stored in the AB in two 95 m3 stainless steel tanks. A method has not been chosen for ion exchange resin treatment and processing yet. The annual generation of ion exchange resins is between 1 m3 and 6 m3 over the last several years.

RAW Management

State Enterprise “Radioactive Waste” (SE RAW) was established in 2004 under the conditions of the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy to meet the requirement for the State responsibility for guaranteeing the safe management of the radioactive waste.

SE RAW is entrusted with managing the radioactive waste outside the site of its generation. The radioactive waste becomes State property from the time of its acceptance by SE RAW. The conditions and procedures for accepting the radioactive waste by SE RAW are defined by the corresponding Regulation on the terms and procedure for delivery of radioactive waste to SE RAW of the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA).

With its Regulation for identification, collection, spending and control of funds and the amount of outstanding contributions to the Radioactive Waste Fund, the Ministry of Energy determines the value of the contributions payable by the entities undertaking activities that result in radioactive waste being generated.

SE RAW performs all the activities during the whole life cycle of radioactive waste management facilities and is responsible to carry out:

Radioactive waste management: all activities related to handling, preliminary treatment, processing, conditioning and storage of radioactive waste, including dismantling of facilities for radioactive waste management;

  • Construction, operation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of facilities for radioactive waste management, based on licences for operation of facilities for RAW management and permits for changes in construction and technologies issued by the BNRA Chairman;

  • Activities for decommissioning of Units 1–4 of Kozloduy NPP, based on the decommissioning licences issued by the BNRA Chairman;

  • Activities for design and preparation of the construction of the National Disposal Facility for low and interim radioactive waste, based on permits issued by the BNRA Chairman and other institutions;

  • Transportation of radioactive waste outside the site of the respective nuclear facility;

  • Organization, transportation and acceptance of backlog radioactive waste, complying with the conditions and terms set out by the order of the BNRA Chairman.

SE RAW implements the above mentioned activities meeting the requirements of the respective licensing and permit regime and in implementation of the nuclear safety and radiation protection regulations.

For implementing its activities, SE RAW is structured in specialized divisions for radioactive waste management, which are not legally independent entities. The divisions are as follows: Specialized Division “RAW Kozloduy”, Specialized Division “Permanent Repository for RAW — Novi Han”, Specialized Division “National Disposal Facility for Low and Interim RAW” and Specialized Division “Decommissioning of Units 1–4”.

Specialized Division “RAW Kozloduy” is located on the site of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and processes the radioactive waste generated from the operation of the plant. It consists of:

Radioactive waste treatment facility;

  • Storage for conditioned radioactive waste;

  • Site “Varovo stopanstvo” for temporary storage of solid radioactive waste.

    The conditioning process includes:

    • Retrieval of the liquid RAW from the tanks for liquid radioactive concentrate;

    • Transport to the RAW Processing Plant;

    • Concentrating of the liquid radioactive concentrate (when necessary) by evaporation;

    • pH correction;

    • Dosing of the liquid radioactive concentrate, the cement and the supplements;

    • Mixing, homogenization and filling of the cement radioactive mixture into reinforced concrete containers;

    • Sealing the package (placing and closing the cover, sealing the cover’s hole).

The regulatory body has licensed the reinforced concrete container for transport and storage of the conditioned RAW. The conditioned RAW is thereby stored on the site of Kozloduy NPP and is subject to further disposal without additional treatment.

RAW Processing Plant consists of:

Line “Solid RAW” designed for sorting and treatment by compaction of solid RAW in order to reduce the volume and to prepare it for further conditioning. The line includes:

  • Centre for receiving and uploading of solid RAW;

  • Sorting table;

  • Two 50 t presses;

  • Mechanism for sealing of 210 liter tanks;

  • System for measuring of waste activity;

  • Super compactor with 910 t of force;

  • Two depots for tanks;

  • Roll conveyors;

  • Crane manipulator;

  • 20 ton transport carriage;

  • Two cranes with load capacity of 40t.

  • Line “Liquid RAW” designed for treatment and conditioning of liquid RAW packaging. The line includes:

    • Specialized tank truck for transport of the liquid RAW from the temporary storage facilities;

    • Centre for receiving and uploading of liquid RAW;

    • Two receiving tanks for liquid RAW with capacity of 40 m3;

    • Two-stage evaporator with receiving tanks for distillate and condensate;

    • Two tanks for concentrated liquid RAW with capacity of 12 m3;

    • Receiving bins for cement and chemical supplements;

    • Batcher for the cement and the supplements;

    • Mixer;

    • Pumps, tanks, etc.

Installation for decontamination of metal RAW designed for decontamination of solid non-compactable RAW. Installation is built on a modular basis. The line includes:

  • Module No. 1 — Initial radioactive control;

  • Module No. 2 — Jet alkaline degreasing and ultrasonic treatment;

  • Module No. 3 — Jet chemical decontamination;

  • Module No. 4 — Electrochemical decontamination;

  • Module No. 5 — Outgoing radioactive control;

  • Module No. 6 — Neutralization;

  • Module No. 7 — Technological venting;

  • Module No. 8 — Compressed air, reagents and demineralized water;

  • Module No. 9 — Drainage and waste water.

Solid compactable RAW is treated using pre-compaction and compaction technology (910 ton super compactor) achieving average volume reduction factor of 7.

Solid non-compactable RAW, after decontamination, is sorted and conditioned in heavyweight containers.

Liquid RAW is treated using evaporation and cementation technology. Liquid RAW (evaporator concentrates) accepted for treatment in the facility should be up to 7.2E+7Bq/l specific ß activity.

Reinforced concrete containers (RCCs) are used for conditioning of all type treated RAW. The reinforced concrete containers are licensed for transport and storage of solid RAW of classes 2-I and 2-II. Their overall dimensions are 1.95 m × 1.95 m × 1.95 m, with a net volume of 5 m³. The walls ensure bioprotection by ensuring that the power of the equivalent dose does not exceed 2 mSv/h in any point on the external surface and 0.1 mSv/h at 1 m distance from the surface.

The package is in conformity with Technical Specification RAW TR-02/11.07.01.

TABLE 9. RAW TREATED AND CONDITIONED IN SPECIALIZED DIVISION “RAW KOZLODUY” FOR 2016


2016
Categories, m³
Solid RAW
Metals
Liquid RAW, m³
TREATED



Pre-compacted drums, pieces
1721


Super-compacted drums (910 t), pieces
1902


CONDITIONED



Solid RAW packed in RCCs, m³
89.85
24.25

Solid RAW immobilized in non-radioactive cement matrix, m³
34.42
20.06

Solid RAW in radioactive cement matrix, m³
21.10
0.04

Conditioned Liquid RAW, m³


122.80
TOTAL CONDITIONED
145.37
44.35

Storage facility for conditioned RAW

This facility is designed for temporary storage (prior to disposal) of conditioned RAW from Kozloduy NPP. It is a surface ferroconcrete facility which provides the necessary engineering barriers between the stored RAW and the personnel and the environment. Its capacity is 1920 reinforced concrete containers with conditioned RAW (960 in each field “A” and “B” in four rows one on top of the other). Two bridge cranes of 25 t load capacity each (one for each field) perform all transport operations in the storage facility. They are provided with grip devices for arranging and positioning of the containers of RAW.

Site “Varovo stopanstvo”

This site contains the following separate subsites for RAW management:

  1. Storage facility of trench type for storage of solid RAW. It is designed for temporary storage of solid RAW of classes 2-I and 2-II and serves all nuclear facilities at the Kozloduy NPP site. The storage facility is a surface ferroconcrete construction facility of vault type. It is separated into 40 cells with upper hatches, each with dimensions of 2.7 m × 5.9 m × 6.0 m and volume of 96.5 m³.

  2. Storage facility for temporary storage of processed solid RAW. It is designed for temporary storage of processed solid RAW of classes 2-I and 2-II from all nuclear facilities at the Kozloduy NPP site. The storage facility building is a reinforced concrete panel structure with a transport aisle. The processed solid RAW is stored in metal pallets arranged in three rows.

  3. Sites No. 1 and No. 2 for temporary storage of solid RAW in reinforced concrete containers. It is designed for temporary storage of processed solid RAW of classes 2-I and 2-II packed in reinforced concrete containers. It serves all nuclear facilities at the Kozloduy NPP site. The site has capacity for 2000 reinforced concrete containers.

  4. Site for temporary storage of solid RAW in heavyweight containers. It is designed for temporary storage of low activity solid RAW of classes 2-I and 2-II. It serves all nuclear facilities at the Kozloduy NPP site. The site has capacity for 14 heavyweight containers. The heavyweight containers with side door have overall dimensions of 5.8 m × 2.2 m × 2.4 m and net volume of 30 m³.

TABLE 10. RAW STORED IN SPECIALIZED DIVISION “RAW KOZLODUY”

FACILITY
31 December 2016
Storage facility for conditioned RAW, packages
1578
Storage facility of trench type for storage of solid RAW, m3
2034.69
Non-treated, m³
0
Packed in 210 l drums, m³
4.2
Super-compacted drums (910 t), m³
2030.49
Storage facility for temporary storage of processed solid RAW, m3
261.08
Super-compacted drums (910 t), m³
261.08
Site No.1 for temporary storage of solid RAW, RCCs
0
Site No. 2 for temporary storage of solid RAW, RCCs
351
Site for temporary storage of solid RAW in ISO-containers
291.78
Non-treated, m³
55.05
Packed in 210 l drums, m³
236.73

Specialized Division “RAW – Novi Han”

This division consists of the following facilities:

  1. Solid RAW Storage Facility for the storage of non-conditioned solid low and intermediate level short lived RAW (2a category). The capacity is 237 m3. It consists of three identical cages, with dimensions 5 m × 4.5 m × 3.5 m. It is dug into the ground and is a reinforced concrete multibarrier facility 15.7 m in length and 5.83 m in width; the height of the aboveground part is 1.2/1.6 m. It is constructed of reinforced concrete 300 mm thick, two sided hydroinsulation with 20 mm bituminous insulation, and lining of 4 mm stainless steel sheets. The external insulation layer is additionally protected by bricks walls 120 mm thick. The storage facility is filled up from the surface through 7 hatches with external diameter 100 cm and 120 cm. According to the design, after the filling of the cages, they could be grouted with concrete.

  2. Biological RAW Storage Facility for storage, conditioned by stabilization in the gypsum matrix, of pre-treated with formaldehyde biological RAW, low and intermediate level short-lived category 2a. The capacity of the storage facility is 80 m3. Its construction is similar to the above described one with smaller dimensions — 8.35 m length, 4.00 m width, 2.5 m depth, and 0.5 m height for the above ground part (roof construction). The facility is accessible from the surface through 8 hatches with dimensions 80 cm × 80 cm.

  3. Spent Sealed Sources Storage Facility for storage of non-conditioned low and intermediate level sealed sources of category 2a. Its capacity is 1 m3. The reinforced concrete facility, with lining of stainless steel, is situated at 5.5 m depth under the ground. The sources are received through a stainless steel serpentine of 50 mm diameter. The heavy concrete and 5 lead plates with 10 mm thickness, situated between the storage facility and the surface, provide the protection against ionizing radiation. The storage facility is additionally protected with heavy roof construction.

  4. Engineering trench for solid RAW, for non-conditioned solid low and intermediate level short lived solid waste of category 2a. The storage facility has a capacity of 200 m3and its dimensions are 29 m (length) and 4.1 m (width). It consists of 8 cages built of ready-made reinforced concrete elements 300 mm thick, with bituminous hydroinsulation and supporting brick walls. It is provided with a drain system. It is filled from the ground surface through hatches with diameter 130 cm. Three of the cages are completely filled, stabilized with cement grout, and covered with a temporary protective coating.

  5. Storage for liquid RAW. For storage of unprocessed low and intermediate level liquid RAW of categories 1 and 2a. Four tanks of stainless steel type 1X18H9T 4 mm thick, constructed in reinforced concrete cages with dimensions 5.7 m × 7.4 m × 4.3 m on concrete supports at 0.5 m above the cage’s floor. The cage is completely dug into the ground. The capacity is 48 m3.

  6. Site for temporary storage of low activity short and long lived wastes (categories 2a and 2b) in railway (ISO) containers. Smoke detectors in transport packages; solid RAW and disused ( sources with low specific activity, which do not require additional protection; neutron sources and ( sources in transport packages are stored on the site. In one of the ISO containers is disposed depleted uranium shielding in metal palettes. Chemical compounds — UO2(NO3)3, UO2(NO3)2, UO2(CH3COO)2, Th(NO3)4, ThO2, etc. are stored in another ISO container. The ISO containers have dimensions of 6.05 m × 2.45 m × 2.30 m. The site capacity is 14 railway ISO containers with 464 m3 total volume. Currently, 13 ISO containers are loaded with radioactive waste with a total volume of 262 m3.

  7. Site for temporary storage of medium activity short and long lived RAW (categories 2a and 2b) in concrete storage units of “PEK” type and reinforced concrete containers (RCC) of StBKKUB type, StBK type and StBKGOU type. The site stores spent sealed sources in transport packages in concrete storage units of “PEK” type, spent sealed sources in RCC of StBKKUB type and StBK type, and gamma irradiation devices in RCC of StBKGOU type. Currently there are disposed 46 RCC of StBKKUB type with useful volume 1.45 m3, 11 RCC of StBK type with useful volume 5 m3, 4 concrete storage units of “PEK” type with useful volume of 8 m3 and 13 RCC of StBKGOU type with useful volume of 3.3 m3. The total volume of loaded radioactive waste at the site is 262 m3.

  8. Site for storage of low activity RAW. The RAW is stored in 200 liters drums and in Euro-pallets. The site capacity is 400 drums and 100 Euro-pallets. The total volume of waste is 38m3. Currently the site is in the process of release in preparation for the decommissioning of the repository.

  9. Processing building with acceptance control, preparation and laboratory complex. The acceptance control, preparation and laboratory complex (ACPLC) is used for acceptance control and treatment of RAW. In the case of smoke detectors, the spent sealed sources are dismantled from the plastic holders in glove boxes. In ACPLC there are also:

    • Cementation unit;

    • Unit for LRAW treatment;

    • Press system;

    • Abrasive decontamination.

  10. Hot cell building is used for acceptance control for RAW and dismantling containers with Co-60 and Cs-137 sources.

Specialised Division “National Disposal Facility”

The Specialised Division “National Disposal Facility” is situated at the southern part of the Kozloduy NPP site. The facility is intended for disposal of low and medium activity RAW generated during the operation of Kozloduy NPP.

The Technical Design and Intermediate Safety Assessment Report (ISAR) was approved by BNRA. The design activities were completed under the BNRA chairman’s order (No. AA-04-21/20.03.2017) for approval of the Radiana site for deployment of the nuclear facility National Disposal Facility and for approval of the Technical Design.

The construction permit from BNRA and MRDPW is expected mid-2017.

Projects for geological, radiation, hydrogeological predisposal monitoring are in progress.

Specialised Division Decommissioning Units 1-4

SERAW, through its SD RAW, performed the work on the dismantling of nuclear facilities from Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the Kozloduy NPP site in implementation of the conditions from the decommissioning licences pursuant to ASUNE.

The amounts of RAW scheduled for 2016 have been transferred regularly to SD RAW Kozloduy for further treatment, conditioning and storage according to the approved Schedule of SD RAW Kozloduy for the activities for RAW treatment and conditioning for 2016. 9 404 m3 were treated at AB2, Water Demineralization Plant-3.

FIG. 8. Current status of storage units.

2.8. Research and Development

2.8.1. R&D Organizations

Sofia University (The University of Sofia St. Kliment Ohridski is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October, 1888. The university has 16 faculties and three departments, where over 21 000 students receive their education.

  • Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy INRNE (www.inrne.bas.bg).

  • Technical University of Sofia, Faculty of Power Engineering and Power Machines.

Today FPEPM is a leading factor in the preparation of highly qualified engineers in the sphere of thermal engineering, nuclear engineering, energy efficiency, renewable sources of energy, hydraulics and pneumatics and textile technology.

Four departments are involved in the educational process:

Department of Thermal Power Engineering and Nuclear Power Engineering;

  • Department of Thermal and Refrigeration Engineering;

  • Department of Hydroaerodynamics and Hydraulic Machines;

  • Department of Textiles.

2.8.2. Development of Advanced Nuclear Power Technologies

Not applicable.

2.8.3. International Cooperation and Initiatives

As a member state of the European Union and IAEA, Bulgaria supports and participates in various international programmes (e.g. INPRO, ITER, GNEP, IFNEC, NSG, Zangger Committee).

Bulgaria is a member of the international conventions and treaties listed in Appendix 1.

Bulgaria has bilateral and multilateral international agreements about information exchange with all neighbouring States and general cooperation agreements with other countries having a substantial nuclear programme (see Appendix 1).

The Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency is a member of:

ENSREG (European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group);

  • VVER Forum;

  • WENRA (Western European Nuclear Regulatory Association);

  • ESRA (European Security Regulators’ Association) as observer.

Kozloduy NPP is an active member of the most renowned organizations of the world nuclear community:

WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators);

  • I?E? (International Atomic Energy Agency);

  • FORATOM (European Atomic Forum);

  • ENISS (European Nuclear Installations Safety Standards Initiative);

  • ENS (European Nuclear Society) etc.

The Bulgarian Nuclear Society is a member of the European Nuclear Society (ENS) and the Bulgarian Atomic Forum (BULATOM) is a member of Foratom — the association of the European nuclear industry.

Bulgarian scientists take part in research activities organized by international organizations such as OECD/NEA, JRC, CERN, JINR — Dubna, etc.

2.9. Human Resources Development

The system of nuclear staff training and qualification in Bulgaria follows the multistage approach and includes: secondary vocational education; higher education (Master’s degree) for obtaining relevant degrees in natural sciences and engineering, and educational and research doctoral degrees; specialized initial and support training to obtain an individual licence to work in a specific position at a nuclear power plant (further professional qualification in licenced specialized training centres).

Secondary vocational education in nuclear technology and science is annually provided for about 770 students (48 of whom take the “Nuclear Energy” subject) in two specialized secondary vocational schools. In the Republic of Bulgaria, the higher education of graduates in nuclear technology and nuclear science is carried out in the professional fields of physics, nuclear engineering and chemical technologies in five accredited higher schools. These schools have a total of 79 students participating in relevant Bachelor’s programmes, and 46 students involved in Master’s programmes. The total number of people employed in the nuclear power sector is around 6500 employees. The majority of them (about 56% as at the end of 2015) are directly involved in the maintenance and operation of the Kozloduy NPP, 20% are part of companies providing repair and maintenance of equipment, and approximately 10% are employed in science, education and engineering activities. More than 50% of the staff has a Master’s degree, while 8% of the employees hold scientific research degrees. The average age of workers in the nuclear power sector is about 50, and particularly for Kozloduy NPP, the major part is in the range of 41–50 years.

2.10. Stakeholder Communication

Referendum

A referendum on building a new nuclear power plant was held in Bulgaria on 27 January 2013. While it was not explicitly mentioned, it is acknowledged that the referendum concerned the possibility to restart construction at the Belene Nuclear Power Plant.

The referendum required a turnout of at least 60% for the referendum to be valid. Voters were asked the question “Should nuclear energy be developed in Bulgaria through construction of a new nuclear power plant?”

Although the proposal was approved in all 31 electoral divisions, turnout did not pass the required 60% threshold, resulting in the referendum becoming non-binding.

Choice
Votes
%
For
851 757
61.49
Against
533 526
38.51
Invalid/blank votes
20 180

Total
1 405 463
100
Registered voters/turnout
6 952 183
20.22

Source: CEC (http://referendum.cik.bg/?resh=148).

Public Consultations

The Republic of Bulgaria is considering establishing a process to consult interested parties, including the public, during the licensing process so that they are able to present their views and so that their concerns are addressed.

With respect to public involvement in the licensing process, a text was prepared for amendment of the Regulation on the Procedure for Issuing Licenses and Permits for Safe Use of Nuclear Energy.

2.11. Emergency Preparedness

The emergency preparedness process in case of a nuclear or radiological event in the Republic of Bulgaria is a part of the general national arrangements for protection in case of disaster. The main legislative and regulatory requirements for the structure and organization of the emergency preparedness are specified in the Disaster Protection Act (DPA), the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy (ASUNE), the Ministry of Interior Act (MIA), and the Regulation on emergency planning and emergency preparedness in case of nuclear and radiation accident.

The Disaster Protection Act establishes, at national level, a unified approach and organization in planning, maintaining emergency preparedness and response during disasters. The Act is harmonized with ASUNE in regard to the requirements for development of emergency plans, their contents, the human resources required, material and technical support, etc. According to the DPA, the Council of Ministers establishes the state policy and adopts a National Plan and a National Programme for protection in case of disasters; it also introduces a National System for Early Warning and Notification of the executive authorities and population in case of disaster and determines, through a Regulation, the conditions and the procedure for its implementation, and provides for financial resources for protection, including in case of nuclear or radiological emergency situation. The general management of the activities related to the protection of the population and environmental preservation in case of disaster is implemented by the Council of Ministers.

The requirements for emergency preparedness during operation of nuclear facilities are specified in the Act on the Safe Use of Atomic Energy. In accordance with ASUNE, entities implementing activities related to the operation of nuclear facilities are obliged to undertake measures to prevent emergencies and accidents and to mitigate the consequences thereof. The measures for emergency planning are established by the emergency plans, as follows: the plan for protection of the population (off-site emergency plan), which regulates the emergency planning zones and determines the actions to be taken by the competent authorities to protect the population, property and environment in case of an accident; the plan for nuclear facilities (on-site emergency plan), which determines the actions to be taken by the licensee or the permit holder to mitigate the accident and eliminate the consequences thereof, according to the off-site emergency plan.

In case of an accident, the licensee/permit holder is obligated to: immediately warn the population and the mayors of municipalities within the emergency planning zones and other competent authorities; take actions for mitigation and remediation of the accident consequences; control and regulate the exposure of the persons engaged in the accident mitigation and liquidation; ensure continuous monitoring of the radioactive releases into the environment.

For more information see Bulgaria’s seventh national report under the Convention on Nuclear Safety (http://www.bnra.bg/en/documents-en/conventions-en/reports-en/cns-report-2016-eng.pdf).

3. NATIONAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS

3.1. Regulatory Framework

3.1.1. Regulatory Authority

The National Regulatory Authority in the field of safe use of nuclear energy is the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRA). The legal framework with respect to the NRA is provided for in the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy (ASUNE — in force from July 2002). According to Article 4 (1) of the Act, “State regulation of the safe use of nuclear energy and ionising radiation, the safety of radioactive waste management and the safety of spent fuel management is implemented by the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency”. Article 4 specifies: “the Chairman is an independent specialised authority of the executive power,” and “The NRA Chairman shall be designated by a decision of the Council of Ministers and shall be appointed by the Prime Minister for a mandate of five years and may be selected for one more term of office (mandate)”. The functions of the NRA are effectively separated from those of the bodies and organizations involved in promotion or use of nuclear technology

Pursuant to Article 5 of the ASUNE, the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency shall have the following powers:

Grant, amend, supplement, renew, suspend and revoke licences and permits;

  • Control the fulfilment of safety requirements and standards, as well as the conditions of licences and permits granted;

  • Issue and withdraw individual licences;

  • Undertake enforcement measures and impose administrative penalties;

  • Assign (contract) nuclear safety and radiation protection related external expertise, research and studies;

  • Implement the interactions with other competent authorities of the executive power vested with some regulatory and control functions and propose to the Council of Ministers measures for coordination of the activities;

  • Implement the international cooperation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the field;

  • Provide individuals, legal persons and state bodies with objective information referring to nuclear safety and radiation protection;

  • Submit annually to the Council of Ministers a report on the status of nuclear safety and radiation protection, as well as on the operation of the Agency;

  • Organize and coordinate the drafting process and submit to the Council of Ministers the reports for implementation of country obligations under the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management;

    Organize and coordinate implementation of the obligations of the Republic of Bulgaria arising from the Agreement Between the People’s Republic of Bulgaria and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of the Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as from the Additional Protocol to the Agreement;

  • Perform the functions of a competent authority and a contact point for notification of an accident and for provision of assistance according to the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency;

  • Develop and submit for adoption to the Council of Ministers regulations for the application of the ASUNE;

  • Exercise other powers as may be entrusted thereto by the national legislation.

More information about the National Regulatory Authority is available at the following web site: http://www.bnra.bg/en/front-page-en?set_language=en.

3.1.2. Licensing Process

The main legal provisions for the licensing of nuclear installations in Bulgaria are outlined in the ASUNE. The Act specifies the conditions and the order, terms and time limits for issuance of licences and permits. The NRA Chairman based on a written application by the applicant shall issue licences and permits for utilization of nuclear energy. According to ASUNE Article 20 (1), a licence shall be issued for a term of validity not exceeding ten years.

3.2. National Laws and Regulations in Nuclear Power

The Act on Safe Use of Nuclear Energy (ASUNE) entered into force in the middle of 2002 (2 July 2002). According to the ASUNE, the NRA Chairman has no power to issue regulations. The NRA Chairman develops and submits regulations for the application of the Act to the Council of Ministers for adoption (Article 5, item 17 of the ASUNE), through the Deputy Prime Minister.

The ASUNE specifies the areas which are to be regulated by the regulations and submitted to the Council of Ministers on a motion of the NRA Chairman or other State Authority. The Transitional and Final Provisions of the ASUNE require that within two years after the entry into force of the ASUNE, the Council of Ministers adopt new regulations.

After entry into force of ASUNE, the NRA initiated a legislative programme for development of a comprehensive set of regulations. Initially, the programme included the responsible persons and the deadlines for the development of 19 secondary legal documents (18 Regulations and 1 Rate Schedule) in the area of the safe use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation, safe management of RAW and SNF, physical protection, emergency planning and preparedness, etc. The programme was subsequently enlarged and the present number of regulations adopted by the Council of Ministers on the basis of the ASUNE is 24. As the NRA objective is to establish exact and clear regulatory requirements, the legislative programme has been based on:

Existing regulations and practices;

  • Full compliance with the national legislation and the international treaties;

  • Full compliance with the European Union Regulations and Directives;

  • Internationally recognised requirements — IAEA Safety Standards;

  • International good practice — practices in leading nuclear countries (European), WENRA (reference levels);

The regulatory practices of the NRA were developed over a long period of time by taking into account legislative requirements, the Agency’s own experience and good international practices. The NRA continuously improves its regulatory practice by conducting self-assessments, inviting well known international experts as management consultants, inviting independent external reviews, as well as by making use of the vast potential of the IAEA, WENRA and other leading regulators on the world scale. During development of the secondary legislation (regulations), the systematic approach was applied in accordance with the national legislation, the importance of the legislative document and the resources available. Most of the NRA employees participated actively in the development of the secondary legislation, as well as representatives of ministries and other organizations concerned. An internal procedure, part of the QM system, has been developed by the NRA and is applied in the process of drafting and adopting regulations.

In September 2003, the Council of Ministers approved the first two of 24 statutory instruments — Rate Tariff for the Fees Collected by NRA under the ASUNE and Regulation for the Fee Payment Procedure. The Regulation and the Rate Schedule guarantee the stable financing of NRA within the framework of the national budget.

At the beginning of 2004, the regulations, included in the first legislative programme (except the Transport regulation), were submitted in one package for coordination with the ministries and the national institutions concerned. Thus, synchronization and interrelation between the secondary legislation, its simultaneous entry into force and standardization of the specific terminology have been achieved. Also, in the development of the regulations, the NRA used the advice and opinions provided to the Chairman by the Advisory Councils on nuclear safety and radiation protection.

Within the following few years, the Council of Ministers adopted the Regulation on the procedure for issuing licences and permits for the safe use of nuclear energy, the Regulation on ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants and all the rest of the statutory documents prescribed by the Nuclear Act.

In summary, this statutory framework has been in force for a period longer than 10 years. The Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy and a significant part of the regulations have been subject to amendment as a result of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union, the IAEA’s peer review process, and the experience gained from the application of the essential statutory requirements.

The following fundamental statutory instruments are currently applicable in the field of safe utilization of nuclear energy and with respect to nuclear material procurement, accountability, storage and transport:

Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy;

  • Regulation on the procedure for issuing licences and permits for the safe use of nuclear energy;

  • Regulation on ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants;

  • Regulation on ensuring the safety of research nuclear installations;

  • Regulation on basic norms of radiation protection;

  • Regulation on the radiation protection during activities involving sources of ionizing radiation;

  • Regulation on the radiation protection during work activities involving materials with increased concentration of natural radionuclides;

  • Regulation on the provision of physical protection of nuclear facilities, nuclear material and radioactive substances;

  • Regulation on the conditions and procedure for notification of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency of events in nuclear facilities and sites with sources of ionizing radiation;

  • Regulation on emergency planning and emergency preparedness in case of nuclear and radiological emergencies;

    Regulation on the conditions and procedure for establishing of special-status areas around nuclear facilities and facilities with sources of ionizing radiation;

  • Regulation on the conditions and procedure of transport of radioactive material;

  • Regulation on the safety of spent fuel management;

  • Regulation on the safety during decommissioning of nuclear facilities;

  • Regulation on the safe management of radioactive waste;

  • Regulation on the terms and procedure for delivery of radioactive waste to the Radioactive Waste State-Owned Company;

  • Regulation on the procedure for payment of the fees collected pursuant to the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy;

  • Regulation on the terms and procedure for obtaining of vocational qualification and on the procedure for issuing of licences for specialised training and of individual licences for use of nuclear power;

  • Regulation on the terms and the procedure for collection and provision of information and for maintaining registers on the activities pertaining to the application of safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;

  • Regulation on the terms and procedure for exemption of small quantities of nuclear material from the application of the Vienna convention on civil liability for nuclear damage;

  • Regulation on the procedure for assessment, collection, spending and control of the financial resources and definition of the amount of contributions due on the “Nuclear facilities decommissioning” Fund;

    Regulation on the procedure for assessment, collection, spending and control of the financial resources and definition of the amount of contributions due on the “Radioactive Waste Fund”;

  • Regulation on radiation protection during activities involving radiographers;

  • Tariff on the fees collected by the NRA pursuant to the Act on the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy;

  • Rules of Procedure of Nuclear Regulatory Agency;

  • Regulation on ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants;

  • Regulation on the terms and procedure for obtaining of vocational qualification and on the procedure for issuing of licences for specialised training and of individual licences for use of nuclear power.

References

National Statistical Institute (http://www.nsi.bg/en).

Report under the Convention on Nuclear Safety by the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for the Seventh Review Meeting in 2016 (http://www.bnra.bg/en/documents-en/conventions-en/reports-en/cns-report-2016-eng.pdf).

Energy Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria till 2020 (http://www.mi.government.bg/files/useruploads/files/epsp/23_energy_strategy2020%D0%95ng_.pdf).

Strategy on Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Management until 2030 (https://www.me.government.bg/bg/themes/aktualizirana-strategiya-za-upravlenie-na-otraboteno-yadreno-gorivo-i-radioaktivni-otpadaci-do-2030-g-1657-0.html).

Bulletin on the state and development of the energy sector in the Republic of Bulgaria issued by the Ministry of Energy.

Appendix 1: International, Multilateral and Bilateral Agreements

AGREEMENTS WITH THE IAEA

Title
Status
Data
Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Entry into force:
29 July 1957
NPT related safeguards agreement INFCIRC/178
Entry into force:
29 February 1972
Additional Protocol
Entry into force:
10 October 2000
Improved procedures for designation of safeguards inspectors
Entry into force:
16 October 1988
Supplementary agreement on provision of technical assistance by the IAEA
Entry into force:
18 August 1980
Agreement on privileges and immunities of the IAEA
Entry into force:
17 June 1968

OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL TREATIES, etc.

Title:
Status:
Data:
- NPT
Entry into force:
5 September 1969
- Convention on physical protection of nuclear material
Entry into force:
8 February 1987
- Convention on early notification of a nuclear accident
Entry into force:
26 March 1988
- Convention on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency
Entry into force:
26 March 1988
- Vienna convention on civil liability for nuclear damage and joint protocol
Entry into force:
24 November 1994
- Protocol to amend the Vienna convention on civil liability for nuclear damage
Not signed

- Convention on supplementary compensation for nuclear damage
Not signed

- Joint convention on the safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of radioactive waste management
Entry into force:
18 June 2001
- Convention on nuclear safety
Entry into force:
24 October 1996
- Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
Entry into force:
15 January 1994
- ZANGGER Committee
Member


- Nuclear Export Guidelines
Adopted

- Acceptance of NUSS Codes
No reply

- Nuclear Suppliers Group
Member

- International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation
(formerly Global Nuclear Energy Partnership)
Member
October 2006

BILATERAL AGREEMENTS

  1. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Greece on early notification in case of nuclear accident and exchange of information for nuclear facilities, 23 April 1989.

  2. Agreement between the Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Commission on Atomic Energy of the Republic of Greece on Early Notification of Nuclear Accident and Exchange of Information for Nuclear Facilities, 15 February 1991.

  3. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Romania on Early notification in case of nuclear accident and exchange of information for nuclear facilities, entry into force: 1 January 1998.

  4. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on Early notification in case of nuclear accident and exchange of information for nuclear facilities, entry into force: 21 May 1998.

  5. Agreement between the Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Regulatory Authority of the Russian Federation on Nuclear and Radiological Safety, 24 October 1996.

  6. Agreement between the Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Protection of the Environment and Nuclear Safety of Ukraine in the domain of the state regulation and control on safety in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, entry into force: 20 March 2003.

  7. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Russian Federation in the domain of peaceful use of atomic energy, 30 May 1998.

  8. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Russian Federation in the domain of atomic energy sector, entry into force: 30 November 1995.

  9. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of Ukraine on Early Notification in Case of Nuclear Accident and Cooperation in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Area, eEntry into force: 11 September 2003.

  10. Agreement between the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (Republic of Bulgaria) and the Radiation Safety Directorate (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) For Cooperation in Radiation Protection Matters, entry into force: 17 November 2010.

  11. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Ukraine on cooperation in transportation of nuclear material between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Bulgaria through the territory of Ukraine and Moldova, entry into force: 16 April 2006.

  12. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Ukraine on transport of nuclear material between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Bulgaria through the territory of Ukraine, entry into force: 8 September 2006.

  13. Agreement between the Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes and the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic on cooperation in regulatory safety matters, 29 September 1999.

  14. Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Argentine Republic in the field of peaceful uses on nuclear energy, 1 August 2000.

  15. Agreement between the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the exchange of technical information and cooperation in nuclear safety matters, entry into force: 10 January 2012.

  16. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the United States of America for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses on nuclear energy, entry into force: 21 June 1994.

  17. Arrangement between the Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Ministry of the Environment, the Protection of Nature and the Reactor Safety of the Federal Republic of Germany, Entry into force: 25 May 1992.

  18. Agreement between the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service (The Russian Federation) and the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (The Republic of Bulgaria) for the cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiation safety regulation in the peaceful use of atomic energy, entry into force: 16 May 2014.

Appendix 2: main organizations, institutions and companies involved in nuclear power related activities

State Authorities and Organizations

Nuclear Regulatory Agency
69 Shipchenski prokhod Blvd.,
1574 Sofia, Bulgaria
tel.: +359 2 9406-800
fax: +359 2 9406 919
web site: https://www.bnra.bg
Ministry of Energy
8, Triaditsa Str.,
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
tel.: +359 2 9263 152
fax: +359 2 980 76 30
web site: https://www.me.government.bg
Energy And Water Regulatory Commission
8-10, Al. Dondukov blvd.
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: + 359 2 9359 628
fax: + 359 2 988 8782
web site: http://www.dker.bg
Ministry of Health
5, Sv. Nedelia squr.
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
tel.: + 359 2981 01 11
fax: + 359 2 981 18 33
web site: http://www.mh.government.bg
National Center of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection
3 St. Georgi Sofijski str.
1606, Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: + 359 2 862 11 23
fax: + 359 2 8621059
http://www.ncrrp.org
Ministry of Environment and Water
22 Maria Louiza Blvd.
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
tel.: + 359 2 940 61 94
fax: + 359 2 986 25 33
web site: http://www.moew.government.bg
State Enterprise Radioactive Waste
52A G. M. Dimitrov Blvd., fl. 6
1797,Sofia, Bulgaria
tel.: +359 2 9035 100
fax: +359 2 962 50 78
web site: http://dprao.bg
National Statistical Institute
2, P. Volov Str.
1038 Sofia, Bulgaria
tel.: +359 2 9857 111
fax: +359 2 9857 764
web site: http://www.nsi.bg
Kozloduy NPP plc.
3321 Kozloduy, Bulgaria

tel.: +359 973/ 7-20-20,
fax: +359 973/ 8-05-91
web site: http://www.kznpp.org

Research Institutes and Organizations

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
http://www.bas.bg/
Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
http://www.inrne.bas.bg/
Institute of Metal Science, Equipment, and Technologies “Acad. A. Balevski”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
http://ims.bas.bg/
Sofia University
https://www.uni-sofia.bg/
Technical University
http://www.tu-sofia.bg/
Plovdiv University
https://uni-plovdiv.bg/

TSO and Expert organizations

Atomenergoproekt Ltd.
http://www.atomepr.com/main.php
Atomtoploproekt Ltd.
http://www.atomtoploproekt.com
Enpro Consult Ltd.
http://www.enproco.com/en
EQE Bulgaria
http://www.eqe.bg
Energy Institute
http://www.eninbg.com/mainbg.html
Quantum Engineering Ltd.
http://www.qvant-bg.com
Risk Engineering Ltd.
http://www.riskeng.bg/
Theta Consult Ltd.
http://www.thetaconsult.com
Worleyparsons Nuclear Services JSC
http://www.worleyparsons.com/

Other Organizations and Associations

Bulgarian Atomic Forum (BULATOM)
http://www.bulatom-bg.org/
Bulgarian Nuclear Society
http://www.bgns.bg/
Scientific and Technical Union
of the Power Engineers in Bulgaria
http://www.ntse-bg.org/

Coordinator Information

Name of report coordinator:
Albena Georgieva
Department of International Cooperation
Nuclear Regulatory Agency

Contact:
69 Shipchenski prokhod, blvd.
1574 Sofia
Bulgaria

A.Georgieva@bnra.bg
tel.. +359 2 9406 943
fax. +359 2 9406 919