The Series of Seminars on Small Modular Reactors Held at the UNWE Were Closed

The UNWE and the U.S. Department of State closed the third and final workshop on the Programme FIRST /Foundation Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology/, part of the series of stakeholder workshops examining the opportunities for integrating small modular reactors /SMRs/ into Bulgaria’s energy mix. The workshop at the UNWE concluded a programme of technical cooperation events that has brought together experts from the energy sector, academia and industry for more than two years.

Davide Mercurio from Jensen Hughes, H. Martin McDowell, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Dr. Lyubomira Gancheva, Deputy Minister of Energy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov, UNWE Vice Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Svetoslav Spasov, Director of the UNWE Nuclear Security Support Center, Denitsa Nikolova, Representative of the Bulgarian Energy Holding

Launched in 2019, the FIRST Programme is a flagship initiative for countries exploring the potential of nuclear power, and particularly SMRs, to meet their energy demands at the highest security, safety and non-proliferation standards. In Bulgaria, the programme engages a broad coalition, including the government, energy-sector and private-sector partners, to improve the structured and evidence-based analysis of small modular reactor technologies.

The UNWE Vice-Rector for International Affairs Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov. “The development of such projects is inextricably linked to issues of investment, financial sustainability, risk management and long-term competitiveness of the economy. Today’s discussion is important not only for the institutions and organizations represented in this hall, but also for our students. At the UNWE, we are develop successful programmes in the field of nuclear security and training specialists who will play a key role in the future development of the sector”, noted Assoc. Prof. Hristozov and added: “I express my gratitude to the Ministry of Energy, the U.S. Embassy, ??the FIRST programme, Jensen Hughes, the Bulgarian Energy Holding and all partners for their support and cooperation. I would like to congratulate Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Spasov and the team of the Nuclear Security Support Center for their work and contribution to the development of expertise in this strategic area”.

Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Spasov, Director of the UNWE Nuclear Security Support Center, who hosted the series of meetings, highlighted the progress made since the programme's inception: "These workshops engaged the academic, public and private sectors in Bulgaria in structured, expert discussions on various aspects of small modular reactor technologies. The US FIRST Programme helped fulfill the university's commitment to facilitate a neutral and informed dialogue on complex energy issues."

"Bulgaria has more than five decades of experience in the nuclear energy and has the necessary potential to be among the leading countries in the region in the implementation of new nuclear technologies. Today, the question is not whether to develop nuclear energy, but how to do it in the most efficient, safe and economically sustainable way. Small modular reactors can play an important role in the decarbonization and competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy", said the Deputy Minister of Energy Dr. Lubomira Gancheva.

In his remarks, H. Martin McDowell, Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Sofia, explained: "This programme is an important element in our ongoing bilateral energy relationship. We are proud to support Bulgaria's ambition to be a regional energy hub, to provide decision-makers with authoritative and up-to-date information when considering small modular reactors, and to share international best practices and responsible approaches to emerging technologies".

"The Bulgarian Energy Holding /BEH/ takes concrete steps towards evaluating the possibilities of implementing the small modular reactors /SMRs/ in Bulgaria. The approval of a contractor for the pre-project study is an important stage that will give a clear idea of ??the potential implementation models and the role of BEH in the future development of this technology", said Denitsa Nikolova, representative of the Bulgarian Energy Holding.

"The great interest in today's seminar shows the growing importance of the topic of small modular reactors /SMRs/ in Bulgaria. Within the framework of the FIRST Programme, we work together with the Bulgarian institutions across multiple areas - from regulatory readiness to strategic planning. The purpose of today's discussions is to exchange practical experience and create a space for open dialogue between all interested parties", said Davide Mercurio from Jensen Hughes.

John Conlon, FIRST Programme Manager for Bulgaria, expressed thankfulness for the successful cooperation and emphasized: "The successful implementation of small modular reactors /SMRs/ requires a long-term approach that unites institutions, industry and the academic community. The FIRST Programme will continue to provide expert support and international experience to assist Bulgaria in building a sustainable roadmap for the development of this technology".

The finale of the series of stakeholder workshops marks an important milestone in U.S.–Bulgarian civil nuclear energy cooperation, marking the transition from structured information gathering and analysis to planning and evaluating the investment opportunities as Bulgaria enters the next phase of its nuclear energy assessment. The United States remains committed to supporting Bulgaria through continued cooperation under the FIRST Programme.

Before the event the UNWE Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov held a working meeting with John Conlon and representatives of the FIRST Program team. During the conversation, the possibilities for expanding the cooperation between the UNWE and the international partners on the initiative were discussed as well as future joint activities in the field of nuclear security, personnel training and the development of expert potential in the energy sector.