Glavbolgarstroy fosters energy and construction partnerships in the USA

Glavbolgarstroy (GBS) is holding strategic partnership talks with the energy giant Shell and large construction companies in the United States. During their visit to Washington, the representatives of the Bulgarian company presented to the American nuclear regulator the holding's priorities regarding projects in the field of nuclear energy.

Possibility of small modular reactors

The construction holding is part of the consortium chosen to build the new units at the Kozloduy NPP using the American AP1000 technology developed by Westinghouse. Now the company indicates that they are also committed to the possibility of building small modular reactors (SMR) in Bulgaria

The executive director of the Nuclear Energy Institute, Carol Berrigan, noted the importance of such types of projects and emphasized cooperation in terms of exchange of experience and expertise. The latter is one of the priorities of her institution, which unites more than 350 organizations and companies. It is America's leading policy and technology organization covering all aspects of the commercial nuclear industry.

Pictured from left to right:  Carol Berrigan, Executive Director of the Nuclear Energy Institute, and Plamena Nenkova, Deputy Executive Director of Glavbolgarstroy Holding

Both countries have agreed that nuclear energy is a reliable source that will help reduce Southeastern Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels. In addition, this type of fuel also contributes to the effective reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and enables power systems to guarantee a greater share of solar and wind energy.

Decarbonization of port infrastructure

The talks between the representatives of Glavbolgarstroy and Shell during the meetings held in Washington revolved around sustainable solutions for the electrification of ports and marine vessels. The energy giant works with a number of suppliers for this purpose, and GBS, for its part, implements projects at two of the key ports in Bulgaria - those in Burgas and Varna.

The solutions Shell is working on aim to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and support the wider transition to decarbonisation of port infrastructure and the fleet. In this regard, a few months ago the company signed a strategic partnership memorandum with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), the main purpose of which was to study the possibilities of decarbonizing the ports by electrifying the ships and developing charging networks.

Joining the US construction sector

Cooperation with a wider range of interested parties and partner companies in the implementation of large infrastructure projects in the field of road construction, railway, energy and water infrastructure was among the topics of the conversations held by Glavbolgarstroy with the Associated General Contractors of America - the main US professional organization in this sector. It includes 27,000 member companies and focuses its activities on improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest. Among the main areas that the organization prioritizes are infrastructure development, energy and environment, education and research, innovation and technology, workforce development, health and safety, and risk management, among others.

Kalin Peshov, Chairman of the GBS Board of Directors, Plamena Nenkova, Deputy Executive Director and Mark Washko, Head of the GBS US Representative Office, spoke with Sara Gallegos, Director of Building Division, John Chambers, Director of Utility Infrastructure Division and Jordan Howard, Director of the Federal & Heavy Construction Division, regarding the accession of the Bulgarian company, through its American subsidiary, to the structures of the organization.

Translated by Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov