US-based NuScale Power announced on 17 February that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant – New Build (KNPP-NB) to consider deploying NuScale’s innovative small modular reactor (SMR) technology at the Kozloduy NPP site. KNPP-NB is a public limited company established to commission new nuclear power capacity on the existing nuclear power site.
The Kozloduy site hosts Bulgaria’s only operating nuclear power plants – two Russian-design VVER-1000 reactors. In conjunction with the Council of Ministers’ recent decision to extend the capacity of the Kozloduy site, KNPP-NB is exploring the possibility of utilising advanced nuclear technology at this location. The goal of the agreement is to evaluate NuScale’s SMR technology for its suitability. Under the MOU, NuScale will support KNPP-NB as they conduct a number of studies and analyses including the development of a project timeline with milestone deliverables for a feasibility study, a project specific cost estimate, and engineering, planning, licensing, and other activities as mutually agreed upon by the parties supporting the potential implementation of a NuScale plant.
“The need to implement safe, reliable and maneuverable power onsite at Kozloduy is well understood,” said Lyuben Marinov, KNPP-NB CEO. “The NuScale SMR is one of the best options to achieve European and Bulgaria policy goals in a liberalised power market, improve the security of energy supply, and add sufficient value in national gross domestic product (GDP).”
NuScale’s SMR is a fully factory-fabricated, 60-77MWe power module based on pressurised water reactor technology. The scalable design means one power plant can house up to 12 individual power modules. In August 2020, NuScale’s SMR became the first and only design to ever receive approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NuScale said it continues to maintain strong programme momentum toward commercialisation of its SMR technology, including supply chain development, standard plant design, planning of plant delivery activities, and startup and commissioning plans. NuScale added that it will be able to deliver its first module to a client in 2027.
NuScale has also signed MOUs to explore the deployment of its technology in Canada, the Czech Republic, Jordan, Romania and Ukraine, and said it is discussing similar agreements with other potential customers. In 2020, the US International Development Finance Corporation signed a Letter of Intent to help NuScale develop 2500 MWe of nuclear energy in South Africa.