The Westinghouse Electric Company has announced that it has extended its Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract with Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild, marking an advancement in the plan to construct two new AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) site.
The company said that the extension signifies progress in the Kozloduy expansion project and solidifies Westinghouse’s commitment to nuclear fuel diversification and operational sustainability at Bulgaria’s only nuclear power facility.
Awarded initially in June 2023, the FEED contract aims to evaluate the preparedness of Bulgarian industries and existing Kozloduy infrastructure to support AP1000 construction.
Following the comprehensive assessment, Westinghouse will begin an Engineering Services Contract, a significant step in the overall project that will cover design, licensing, and training services, as well as project management and detailed site planning.
“Westinghouse is committed to the Kozloduy project and to strengthening Bulgaria’s supply chain to support this critical project for the Balkans and others across Europe,” stated Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems. “Our collaboration with Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild is key to advancing Bulgaria’s energy security,” he added.
The AP1000 is the only Generation III+ reactor currently operating that incorporates passive safety systems and a compact, modular design, Westinghouse said in its statement, adding that four AP1000 reactors in China are already setting operational and efficiency benchmarks, while an additional eight units are under construction, and four more have been contracted.
Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology has also been selected for nuclear programs in Poland and Ukraine, reflecting growing interest across Central and Eastern Europe. By 2030, Westinghouse expects 18 AP1000 reactors to be operational worldwide, with additional projects under consideration in the United Kingdom, India, and North America.