The Bulgarian government has officially abandoned previous plans to transfer two nuclear reactors to Ukraine

The Bulgarian government has officially abandoned previous plans to transfer two nuclear reactors to Ukraine, which were intended for the unfinished Belene NPP. These installations were considered by the Ukrainian side as potential equipment for continuing the construction of new power units at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant.

According to Forbes Bulgaria, this was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Atanas Zafirov. According to him, the decision was agreed upon and supported by all coalition partners in the government.

The reason for this step, according to Zafirov, was Bulgaria's desire to concentrate efforts on the development of its own nuclear sector. He emphasized that in the conditions of rapid growth in world electricity prices, the government must protect national interests and the country's energy security.

However, analysts note that this decision may have negative consequences for Bulgaria itself. In particular, the sale of reactors to Ukraine was supposed to be a source of financing for the construction of new power units No. 7 and No. 8 at the Bulgarian Kozloduy NPP. Now these projects risk being left without proper financial support.

For Ukraine, Bulgaria's refusal means a delay in the implementation of plans to expand the capacity of the Khmelnytskyi NPP. Previously, the Ukrainian side considered the Bulgarian reactors as a quick and economically feasible solution for the modernization of its nuclear power industry in the context of the energy crisis and the need to replace lost capacity.

The issue of a possible transfer of the reactors has caused lively discussions in both Bulgaria and Ukraine, as the agreement had symbolic and strategic significance in the context of European energy solidarity. Currently, the Ukrainian government is forced to look for alternative sources of equipment to develop its own energy potential.