Bulgaria has taken a notable step toward expanding its nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy site. The Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA, АЯР) has officially authorised “Kozloduy NPP New Build” EAD to launch activities related to choosing a location for the planned eighth reactor at the country’s only nuclear power plant. This approval marks the first dedicated regulatory step in the new licensing process for Kozloduy’s Unit 8, rather than a full construction permit.
Regulators Clear the Project to Begin the First Phase of the Licensing Path
The company submitted a package of documents to the BNRA on 18 February 2025, requesting permission to initiate the siting process for Unit 8. After reviewing the documentation, the agency issued a positive decision, giving the project operator the right to begin official studies on the suitability of potential sites within the Kozloduy area.
This authorisation is the starting point of Bulgaria’s multi-stage regulatory pathway for new nuclear capacity. It allows the company to carry out a full range of assessments, including geological, seismic, environmental and infrastructural evaluations. These studies will eventually indicate whether the chosen location meets the safety, technical and environmental criteria required for a large nuclear facility.
According to the regulator, the decision confirms that the submitted documentation meets the initial standards set out in the national nuclear legislation. It also establishes the formal framework under which all future assessments must be conducted.
What the Approval Allows – and What It Does Not
The BNRA emphasised that the approval does not permit any construction activities. Instead, it grants permission solely for analyses that justify whether a given plot is fit for a nuclear build. This distinction matters because Bulgaria’s nuclear licensing process separates the siting phase from the later construction permit stages. Only after site approval can the project continue into more detailed design, safety reviews and, eventually, requests for a construction licence.
For “Kozloduy NPP New Build” EAD, this means the next months will be dedicated to collecting data, modelling scenarios and preparing a detailed justification demonstrating that the recommended site fulfils all national and international safety requirements. These materials will then be submitted back to the regulator for an independent safety review.
Next Step: A Formal BNRA Order Approving the Safe Site
Once the company completes its studies and submits the required evidence, the regulator must issue a dedicated order approving the safety of the selected site. Only when this step is completed does the project enter its next regulatory stage, which involves preliminary design, technical safety analysis and preparation for construction licensing.
This phase is considered one of the most important in the entire nuclear build process. Site approval essentially determines the physical foundation for the reactor and defines the parameters under which designers must create the plant layout and safety systems. If the regulator determines that the site does not meet minimum safety thresholds, alternative locations may need to be considered, delaying the broader project timeline.
Momentum Builds After the Appointment of a Financial Adviser
The siting approval comes shortly after another major development. In late 2024, Kozloduy NPP New Build selected Ernst & Young (EY) as financial and economic advisor for the project to build Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy site.
With a financial adviser now engaged and the siting phase formally open, the Kozloduy expansion enters a more active and structured period. Although Bulgaria’s plans for additional nuclear capacity have gone through several phases of debate and re-evaluation over the past decade, the latest sequence of decisions indicates stronger political and institutional alignment.
Why the Project Matters for Bulgaria’s Energy Strategy
Bulgaria currently operates two reactors at Kozloduy, Units 5 and 6, which provide a major share of the country’s low-carbon electricity. The addition of Units 7 and 8 is seen as a long-term measure to secure stable baseload power, reduce reliance on imported fuels and support the nationwide transition away from coal.
The government has repeatedly pointed out that the new units will be essential for maintaining grid stability as renewable capacity grows. Nuclear power remains one of Bulgaria’s most important tools for controlling electricity prices, supporting industrial competitiveness and ensuring energy security in the region.
The BNRA decision on site selection does not change the already announced technology choice. Bulgaria has decided to build two new large-scale units at Kozloduy using Westinghouse’s AP1000 reactor design, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Westinghouse engaged under an engineering services contract. The site approval process now needs to align with the technical parameters of this chosen technology.
A Defining Stage for the Future of Nuclear Power in Bulgaria
While the road to constructing a new nuclear unit is long, the launch of the siting process marks the first official procedural step that moves the project from planning into action. With regulatory review underway, financial structuring progressing and international partners already involved, Unit 8 is entering a phase in which decisions start to carry concrete deadlines, obligations and measurable progress.
For Bulgaria, which has long viewed nuclear power as a strategic pillar of its energy policy, the start of the siting phase is not just a technical milestone. It signals renewed momentum, clearer direction and a more coordinated approach to expanding its nuclear fleet.
Why This Matters for Power Loop Readers
For professionals across the energy, infrastructure and technology sectors, the decision to launch the siting phase for Kozloduy’s Unit 8 is more than a national milestone. It signals a shift in regional planning priorities at a moment when Europe is redefining its long-term energy mix. Bulgaria’s nuclear expansion will influence future cross-border electricity flows, the structure of the regional power market and the pace at which neighbouring countries integrate low-carbon capacity into their own systems.
For companies following investment trends, the move underscores that Southeast Europe remains an active zone for large-scale energy projects with decade-long development horizons. The involvement of international advisers, multi-stage licensing and significant EU-aligned regulatory processes reveal opportunities, and challenges, across engineering, financing, supply chains and workforce development.
And for readers monitoring the wider evolution of the power sector, the start of the siting process represents an early indicator of how governments in the region intend to secure stable baseload generation while accelerating renewable deployment. Kozloduy’s future units will shape grid stability, wholesale pricing and energy security strategies well beyond Bulgaria’s borders. Understanding these shifts early gives Power Loop’s audience a strategic advantage in forecasting how the regional energy landscape will evolve over the next ten to fifteen years.
Sources
- Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (BNRA / АЯР) – Official regulatory information and announcements on licensing procedures. https://bnra.bg/bg
- Kozloduy NPP New Build EAD – Project updates and documentation for Units 7 and 8. https://www.kznm.bg/en/
- Bulgarian Ministry of Energy – Government statements and policy updates on nuclear expansion. https://www.me.government.bg/en
