Bulgaria's Kozloduy NPP said on 25 February that it has hired Westinghouse Electric Sweden to study options for licensing and integration of improved fuel for the plant's two operating units (5 and 6) under a BGN3.1 million ($1.8 million) contract. NPP Kozloduy said in a notice that the purpose of the contract is to comply with the Euratom Supply Agency's strategy for diversification of nuclear fuel supplies and to ensure their security. Westinghouse will be required to prepare a technical and economic justification for the use of an alternative type of nuclear fuel at Kozloduy’s two VVER-1000 reactors. The deal was signed on 20 February. Kozloduy NPP said it decided to hold direct talks with Westinghouse instead of launching a competitive public procurement procedure because it is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for such reactors other than Russian fuel company Tvel, which currently supplies all the fuel.
Last year, the plant received approval from the Bulgarian nuclear regulatory agency for the continuous operation of unit 6 at increased thermal capacity of 104% following extensive upgrades undertaken with Russian assistance. A similar permit is expected for unit 5, which has also undergone upgrading.
