Westinghouse Electric Company, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., and Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP – New Build EAD have officially signed an Engineering Services Contract for the development of two AP1000® nuclear reactors at the Kozloduy site. The signing ceremony, held in Sofia, was attended by key figures, including Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, Bulgarian Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov, U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten, Kozloduy NPP – New Build Executive Director Petyo Ivanov, Westinghouse Senior Vice President Elias Gedeon, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction President Yoon Young-Joon.
The contract covers site planning for the construction of two AP1000® units, which are recognized as the most advanced Generation III+ nuclear reactors in operation today. It also includes support for Kozloduy NPP – New Build to initiate licensing and permitting processes, alongside project planning and the development of operations and maintenance strategies. The 12-month contract work will commence immediately.
Dimitar Glavchev, Bulgarian Prime Minister, remarked, “Bulgaria’s extensive experience in nuclear facility construction, spanning over five decades, positions this project as a significant step toward strengthening the country’s energy security. We are excited to partner with Westinghouse Electric and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, both global leaders in the nuclear sector. I am confident that the project will succeed and that the Bulgarian government will ensure its successful realization.”
Vladimir Malinov, Bulgarian Minister of Energy, expressed, “Nuclear energy development is a central priority for our government. Our consistent efforts have brought us to this important milestone. We are grateful to Westinghouse Electric Company and Hyundai Engineering & Construction for their collaboration, and I believe that in less than a decade, Bulgaria will have a reliable, affordable, and clean energy solution in place.”
U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, Kenneth Merten, stated, “The U.S. fully supports Bulgaria’s energy diversification efforts. The addition of these two reactors will strengthen Bulgaria’s energy security and enhance its role as a key energy hub in the region. This project, using advanced American technology with exceptional safety standards, is poised to deliver sustainable energy for Bulgaria’s future.”
Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems, said, “We are excited to deepen our long-standing relationship with Bulgaria by developing two AP1000 units that will significantly enhance the nation’s energy security. This project will not only provide clean and reliable power but also create high-quality jobs, contributing to Bulgaria’s energy independence.”
The first of Bulgaria’s two AP1000 reactors is expected to begin commercial operation in 2035. Westinghouse has already signed Memoranda of Understanding with 22 Bulgarian suppliers to support the project, and the two-unit Kozloduy project will open up opportunities for Bulgarian companies to contribute to the global expansion of the AP1000 technology, which has more than 30 units under construction worldwide.
The AP1000 reactor is the only operational Generation III+ reactor equipped with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design, and the smallest footprint per MWe. Four AP1000 reactors in China are currently setting operational performance records, with additional reactors under construction. There are also two operating AP1000 units at the Vogtle site in Georgia. The technology is currently selected for projects in Poland, Ukraine, and Bulgaria, and is under consideration in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, India, and others across Central and Eastern Europe and North America. By the end of this decade, 18 AP1000 reactors are expected to be in operation globally.
Westinghouse Electric Company is a leader in carbon-free energy solutions, providing safe, innovative nuclear and clean power technologies worldwide. The company’s technology has been the basis for nearly half of the world’s operating nuclear plants. With over 135 years of innovation, Westinghouse is the preferred partner for advanced nuclear technologies across the energy life cycle. For more information, visit Westinghouse Nuclear and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
