The projection of the acquisition of two atomic reactors for Khmelnitsky NPP in Bulgaria remains valid - negotiations continue, despite political difficulties. This was stated by the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko during the "Hours of Questions to the Government" in the Verkhovna Rada.
"In fact, the issue is not closed. We do not have the official refusal of Bulgaria to continue negotiations," Galushchenko stressed. According to him, negotiations were temporarily slowed for political reasons, but the Ministry of Energy has a plan to continue the process.
"I am sure that we will sign the relevant document. We are preparing it ... The project has not yet been canceled," the minister added.
We will remind, in April this year the Bulgarian government announced the refusal to sell reactors. Viceremier of Bulgaria Athanas Zafirov noted that the country decided to focus on the development of its own nuclear energy against the background of global increase in electricity prices.
At the same time, negotiations on the price of equipment also became a stumbling block: Bulgaria sought to increase the cost to $ 700 million, while Ukraine insisted on an initial agreement of $ 600 million.
It is about Russian atomic installations, which Bulgaria has purchased for the construction of NPP "Belen", but eventually refused to implement the project. Since 2022, negotiations on the transfer of this equipment to Ukraine to complete the third and fourth units of Khmelnitsky NPP. In February, the Verkhovna Rada already supported the allocation of funds for the purchase of reactors, and in March the document was signed by the President.
