Hyundai shortlisted for installing new nuclear units in Kozloduy

Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC has shortlisted Hyundai Engineering and Construction as a potential contractor for the construction of a nuclear power plant in northwestern Bulgaria.

In late January, project company Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC published an invitation for expressions of interest, based on the parliament’s decision from December to install units 7 and 8 at the site of the existing Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP), opting for АР1000 technology.

In the meantime, Bulgaria and the United States signed an intergovernmental agreement to work together on building the new NPP.

Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC said a commission has carried out the prequalification of applicant companies that expressed interest in installing the two reactors.

Five offers have been submitted

The candidates were Dutch-based Fluor BV, Bechtel Nuclear Power Company from the US, South Korean Hyundai Engineering and Construction, a consortium led by China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas (including its partner China Energy Engineering Group Tianjin Electric Power Construction), and China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited, said the project firm added.

After checking the applicants’ compliance with the conditions including technical and construction experience and expertise as well as economic and financial capacity, the commission proposed to shortlist only Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC said.

Hyundai Engineering and Construction is eligible to submit an offer in a subsequent procedure

The South Korean company will be able to submit a bid for engineering, construction, procurement and commissioning in a subsequent procedure. The contractor will be selected following negotiations, the documentation shows.

Kozloduy is Bulgaria’s only nuclear power plant. It has 2,000 MW in capacity. In 2022, the country decided to abandon the Belene nuclear plant project and build more reactors in Kozloduy. Kozloduy NPP – New Builds PLC is owned by Kozloduy NPP, part of government-controlled Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH).

Of note, the Government of Serbia selected the consortium established by Hyundai Engineering, Hyundai ENG America and UGT Renewables as the best bidder in the public call for a strategic partner for the construction of photovoltaic facilities. Negotiations are underway.