Hyundai E&C and Westinghouse, the consortium awarded the Kozloduy nuclear power plant project in Bulgaria, have signed agreements with seven local companies. The move reflects the Bulgarian government’s push for greater participation of domestic firms in the project.
On the 16th, Westinghouse signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with seven Bulgarian companies for the construction of two AP1000 pressurized water reactors at the Kozloduy plant.
The seven firms include Balkansko Eco EOOD, Bon Marine, Contragent 35, El Control EOOD, Elprom Heavy Industries, Kozloduy, and ZECALABS. These companies will handle cranes, logistics and transportation, electrical and industrial equipment, instrumentation and control systems, and piping. With these additions, a total of 30 Bulgarian companies have now secured contracts with Westinghouse for the project.
Westinghouse stated that the MOUs aim to “leverage the expertise of local construction, electrical, and logistics firms to ensure the project is completed on time.”
The Bulgarian government has repeatedly emphasized the need for greater involvement of domestic companies in the project.
At a Westinghouse symposium in Sofia on the 29th of last month, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said, “As many Bulgarian companies as possible should participate in this project.”
Ivan Ivanov, head of Bulgaria’s Nuclear Agency, also stressed, “Localization is the most critical aspect of this project. We expect significant participation from Bulgarian firms in areas like equipment control and management.”
The project involves the construction of two additional 1,100-megawatt reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear complex. Hyundai E&C was selected as the preferred bidder in February last year and has since finalized design contracts. The reactors will use Westinghouse’s AP1000 model.
