Bulgarian technology company participates in project to build small modular reactors
Blue Bird Energy, whose main shareholders are Glavbolgarstroy and Asarel Medet, together with General Electric (GE Hitachi) and Synthos, presented the potential of the technology in Bulgaria
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* In the photo, from right to left: Kalin Peshov, Chairman of the Board of Glavbolgarstroy; Frederick Vitabak, President for Europe, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GE Vernova); Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy of Bulgaria; Robert Rudich, Chief Business Development Officer, Synthos Green Energy; Lukasz Dul, Orlen Synthos Green Energy; and Andon Ichev, CEO, Blue Bird Energy (Bulgaria).
Bulgarian energy technology company Blue Bird Energy is working on a project to build small modular reactors in Bulgaria. The company, whose shareholders include Glavbolgarstroy and Asarel-Medet, uses the most advanced technology in this field in the world – BWRX-300 – developed by US-based GE Hitachi.
This low-emission energy technology, its rapid development worldwide, and the opportunities for quick implementation of a similar project in Bulgaria were the focus of talks hosted this week in Sofia by Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov.
It was emphasized that effective partnership between institutions and the private sector is essential for attracting innovation and long-term investment in strategic areas such as energy and high technology.
High value-added energy technology
The working meeting held at the Ministry of Energy on the development of high value-added energy technologies for the Bulgarian economy was attended by representatives of GE Vernova / GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (USA), Glavbolgarstroy / Blue Bird Energy (Bulgaria), Synthos Green Energy (Poland) and representatives of the US Embassy and the Bulgarian Energy Holding.
The talks focused on technological solutions in the field of nuclear energy offered by the American company General Electric, with an emphasis on small modular reactors BWRX-300. These innovative nuclear power plants are offered as a modern, smaller-scale technology for implementation in Bulgaria and are intended to complement and synergize with the current project to build two Westinghouse AP1000® reactors at the Kozloduy NPP.
Small modular reactors in Bulgaria
The goal is for Bulgaria to further strengthen and upgrade its nuclear energy capacity, ensuring stable, predictable, and low-emission electricity production in the long term.
Small modular reactors, one of the most talked-about technologies in the energy sector in recent times, could not only support the country's energy security but also create even better conditions for the development of Bulgarian industry's competitiveness, the construction of data centers, giant factories, and other high-tech production facilities related to artificial intelligence. They are also in line with the Bulgarian government's vision of establishing Bulgaria as a technology and energy hub in Southeast Europe.
Translated with DeepL.
