Westinghouse Electric Company welcomed more than 150 attendees from 60 companies and industry organizations to a Supplier Symposium in Sofia on April 29. The event provided a forum for regional suppliers to learn more about supporting the AP1000® project at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site in northern Bulgaria.
The event also welcomed Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, Delyan Dobrev, Chairman of Bulgaria’s Committee on Budget and Finance in the National Assembly, Susan Falatko, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy, Ivan Mihaylov, CEO of Amcham Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, Chairman of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, Ivan Andreev, CEO of NPP Kozloduy, and Petyo Ivanov, Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP New Built company.
During the event, suppliers heard more about the current state of the Kozloduy project, which will include two AP1000 reactors, as well as more about the plant equipment and services, sourcing requirements and supply chain opportunities from Westinghouse.
“The project to build new nuclear power units is key to the country’s energy security and independence. We are happy that the government is partnering with world leaders such as Westinghouse and Hyundai E&C for its implementation. This cooperation provides us with the opportunity to use the most advanced technological solutions – the new 7th unit of the Kozloduy NPP will be the first in Europe with the AP1000 technology of Westinghouse. This fact is key to preserving and expanding Bulgaria’s role as a strategic hub for the production of sustainable, emission-free energy at competitive prices in Southeast Europe,” said Zhecho Stankov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy.
“I am delighted to attend Westinghouse’s second Supplier Symposium and see so many Bulgarian companies ready to play a role in bringing Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant’s new AP1000-powered reactors online,” said Susan Falatko, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Susan Falatko, U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria. “We are extremely pleased to see the momentum the project – which will further diversify Bulgaria’s energy sources, expand its role as a regional energy hub, and promote greater prosperity in both our countries – has already achieved.”
“With state-of-the-art AP1000 technology, and a clear focus on safety, we are turning a strategic idea into energy security and independence for Bulgaria,” said Petyo Ivanov, Executive Director of NPP Kozloduy New Builds.
“Westinghouse has a long-term partnership with Bulgaria, and we understand the strengths and capabilities of its nuclear industry through our work at Kozloduy,” said Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems. “By expanding our relationships with the deeply experienced, Bulgarian supply chain we will be able to successfully deliver two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy site while generating economic benefits and supporting high-paying jobs for decades to come.”
As part of its “buy where we build” philosophy of localization, Westinghouse has already signed memoranda of understanding with 30 Bulgarian suppliers to support the project. The Kozloduy project will also provide Bulgarian firms the opportunity to support other AP1000 projects in Europe and globally. Bulgarian companies can find more information about becoming a supplier on the Westinghouse Bulgaria website.
The AP1000 reactor is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. There are six AP1000 reactors currently setting operational performance and availability records worldwide with twelve additional reactors under construction and four more under contract. There will be 18 units based on AP1000 technology in operation globally by the end of the decade. The AP1000 technology has also been selected for nuclear energy programs in Poland and Ukraine and is also under consideration at multiple other sites in Europe, the United Kingdom, India and North America.