Bulgaria signed a contract for the new AP1000 reactors at Kozloduy.

The consortium comprising Laurentis Energy Partners, its subsidiary Canadian Nuclear Partners SA (CNPSA), and BWXT Canada has signed a key contract with the government of Bulgaria for the continued advancement of the project to build two new AP1000-design reactors at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria.

The contract with the project company Kozloduy NPP-New Build EAD was announced in Sofia, and the event was attended by Bulgarian Minister of Energy Zheko Stankov and Ontario's Minister of Energy, Stephen Lecce.

The value of the contract, which, according to WNN, is estimated at "hundreds of millions of euros", will provide specialized technical consulting services and project management oversight (the so-called "Owner's Engineer") for all major phases of the project.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that the contract is a "decisive moment" for the new project and that it "ensures that the new capacity will be delivered in accordance with all international and national regulatory standards, within the agreed timeframe and budget".

The consortium will support Kozloduy NPP-New Build EAD as the engineering consultant, which includes initial engineering activities, management of design, procurement, construction, and commissioning processes.

Minister Stankov emphasized that this is the most important contract ahead of signing the key Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, which is expected in 2026. And Petyo Ivanov, Chief Executive Officer of Kozloduy NPP New Build, stressed that the multi-year experience of the engaged companies "guarantees that the project will be completed on time, within budget, and fully in compliance with regulatory standards."

In addition, Bulgaria aims for the first of the two proposed blocks (Westinghouse AP1000 design) to be operational in 2035 and the second in 2037. The planned capacity of the two new blocks (approximately 2,300 megawatts) will exceed the capacity of the first four blocks that were closed (1,760 megawatts).

As part of the negotiations to join the European Union, Bulgaria closed Kozloduy 1-4 blocks (VVER-440 reactors). Currently, Blocks 5 and 6 (VVER-1000) are in operation, generating about one third of the country's electricity.

Westinghouse AP1000 is, as one of the most technologically advanced designs on the market today, chosen as the technology for the two new blocks. Last year an engineering contract was signed with Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Westinghouse, and the Ministry of Energy and the American Citi Bank agreed to a partnership in July 2025 to secure financing for the construction of the new blocks.