Energy Minister Stresses Need for New Nuclear Power Facilities

An analysis carried out by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences shows a need for new nuclear power facilities not only in Bulgaria but in the whole region, Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova said, interviewed by BTA. She was discussing whether the country needs to build a second nuclear power plant, at Belene.

Petkova noted that Bulgaria should follow very strictly the EU's vision for the development of the energy sector. Promoting clean energy is a long-term policy of the EU. The requirements for this type of electricity generating facilities are growing all the time, she said.

For the future Belene nuclear power plant, Bulgaria has two reactors which are very good in terms of technology and quality; it also has a licensed site and the necessary documents related to a 2007 notification about the investment project. If there is interest in implementing the project with a strategic investor, Bulgaria will notify the European Commission about the change in the investment project.

Taking a question about the possibility for more eco-friendly long-term operation of the Maritsa East 2 Thermal Power Plant, Petkova said Bulgaria's energy security is directly linked to the brown coal reserves in the Maritsa basin. The reserves are enough to ensure coal-based electricity production for another 60 years. This is a major factor which has a direct bearing on the nation's energy security and energy independence, she noted.

Therefore, when considering various scenarios, it should always be borne in mind that Bulgaria possesses its own resources, she argued. Local resources provide security and a possibility to produce electricity at affordable prices.

A decision on indefinite derogation for Maritsa East 2 is expected shortly. The purchase of emission allowances for the operation of Maritsa East 2 was one of the important things which the Energy Ministry managed to achieve, Petkova said.

Discussing prices on the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX), which currently functions only for large consumers of electricity, and speaking about what will happen if the energy market is liberalized completely, the Minister said that as of January 1, 2018, all electricity producers with an output capacity exceeding 4 megawatts are required to offer their electricity via IBEX. All three electricity producers within the Bulgarian Energy Holding Group - the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, the Maritsa East 2 Thermal Power Plant and the National Electricity Company - strictly abide by the law as they offer their entire output via IBEX.

On any energy exchange, prices are determined by the market, by demand and supply. IBEX is working, all possible platforms have been built for it, Petkova said.

Source: BTA