As Bulgaria moves forward with plans to add new nuclear capacity at its Kozloduy site, the decision to use AP1000 reactors raises important questions about strategy, safety, and long-term energy planning. With global deployment of AP1000 units accelerating and Bulgaria actively advancing permitting steps, the choice of this technology offers a promising path toward stability, modernization, and regional leadership.
1. Why AP1000? An overview of the technology
The AP1000 is a Generation III+ pressurized water reactor developed by Westinghouse that emphasizes advanced safety, modular construction, and efficient operations. One of its defining features is its passive safety system, designed to maintain safety functions for up to 72 hours without external intervention or electric power – leveraging natural circulation and gravity-fed cooling.
Modular construction is another key advantage: components can be prefabricated off-site and assembled, reducing on-site labor demands and potentially improving control over costs and schedule. In China, U.S., and elsewhere, existing AP1000 plants already form part of validated global performance records.
2. Aligning with Bulgaria’s energy needs
Bulgaria’s energy goals centre on ensuring baseload stability, decarbonizing generation, and supporting integration of renewables. AP1000 reactors, with their ability to deliver high-capacity power with low operational emissions, fit well into a strategy that blends nuclear, renewables, and flexible systems.
As older coal units and aging thermal plants retire, nuclear becomes a backbone for the grid – especially when renewables underperform. The AP1000’s reliability helps maintain stability during peak demand or low renewable output periods. In that regard, it complements solar and wind rather than competes with them.
Furthermore, because AP1000 designs are already in use elsewhere, Bulgaria can benefit from proven learning curves rather than experimenting with less mature systems. This aligns with the country’s priority of minimizing disruption while adding new capacity.
3. Strategic partnerships and localisation
One of the strengths of the planned Kozloduy expansion is its emphasis on supply chain localization. Westinghouse has signed memorandums of understanding with numerous Bulgarian suppliers – covering components like instrumentation, piping, and logistics – to support the two-unit AP1000 project. As part of Westinghouse’s “buy where we build” philosophy, this localisation helps embed know-how and industrial capability within Bulgaria.
Hristo Kovachki has publicly supported deeper cooperation with U.S.-based firms in the energy field, arguing that such partnerships are a means to import advanced technologies and build domestic capacity. His stance naturally aligns with a project where foreign technology and local industry combine for long-term benefit.
The contract for engineering services has already been signed for the AP1000 units at Kozloduy. In parallel, Bulgaria’s regulator has received siting permit applications for the new units, signalling that preparatory steps are underway. Hyundai Engineering & Construction is also involved in the project, after having received parliamentary approval to enter talks for the reactor construction.
This interplay of global technology providers and a developing domestic supply base enhances both project resilience and national industrial development.
4. Regional impact and leadership potential
Should the AP1000 units proceed successfully, Bulgaria would become one of the first countries in Europe to deploy this specific reactor design. This positions the country as a potential model for neighbouring states evaluating their nuclear options.
Given its location and energy interconnections in the Balkans, Bulgaria could, in time, export electricity or serve as a stabilizing node for regional grids. The credibility of building advanced reactors also strengthens the country’s negotiating position in energy diplomacy and infrastructure planning.
5. Timeline, challenges, and policy support
While engineering contracts are agreed, the next steps are critical. The siting permit application for the proposed AP1000 units has already been submitted, indicating regulatory momentum. The project timeline anticipates its first AP1000 unit entering commercial operation possibly by 2035
Yet challenges remain: securing financing (the project is being backed by global institutions such as Citi), managing cost overruns common in nuclear builds, and coordinating permitting and construction across multiple disciplines. Ensuring that nuclear is recognized within EU frameworks – such as green taxonomy or investment mechanisms – will also be important.
Clear and consistent policy signals, streamlined regulatory processes, and effective risk-sharing with private sector partners will be essential to keep the project on track.
Conclusion
Choosing the AP1000 for Bulgaria’s nuclear expansion is more than a technical decision – it is a strategic investment in the country’s long-term energy resilience. With passive safety, modularity, and a viable global footprint, AP1000 offers a credible path forward. By combining international technological strength with local supply chain development, Bulgaria can strengthen its energy independence, support decarbonization, and assume a leadership role in the region’s nuclear trajectory.
