Business card
Hristo Kovacki is among the most key figures in the Bulgarian energy industry – although indirectly, he is connected to large coal-fired thermal power plants and electricity traders, as well as to the repair company of the Kozloduy NPP. In addition to the sanctions under the “Magnitsky” law of former directors of the nuclear power plant, Kovacki answered the questions of “Capital” in writing.
Atomenergoremont has been repairing the Kozloduy NPP for years, and you should know the plant well. Do you know the two former directors of the NPP – Ivan Genov and Alexander Nikolov, who were sanctioned under the “Magnitsky” law by the USA for corruption and advancing Russian interests?
I know them as former directors of Kozloduy NPP. I have not had close contact with them. “Atomenergoremont” carries out repairs on the equipment of the Kozloduy NPP, not supplies of spare parts and fresh nuclear fuel.
Do you think the US’s motives are valid? Is there corruption pressure in Kozloduy NPP?
I personally have no information on whether there are corrupt practices and corrupt pressure at Kozloduy NPP.
One of the theses for the sanctions is the blocking of the process of diversification of Russian nuclear fuel with American fuel. Do you think this is so? However, the contract with “Westinghouse” was signed at the end of 2022 after the management of the Kozloduy NPP was changed.
The diversification process is the best and most logical step to ensure both national energy security and a reliable supply of fresh nuclear fuel. “Westinghouse” is an established high-tech company with an excellent image, and I believe that the contract with such a reliable company will have a beneficial effect on the Bulgarian energy industry.
Purely technologically, there are disputes as to how achievable is the diversification of Russian fuel in 2024. What do you think?
Diversification of the fuel used at the Kozloduy NPP is completely achievable. It is a matter of good organization. But apart from the issue of diversification of the nuclear fuel used by the Kozloduy NPP, the diversification of natural gas supplies is also key.
In your opinion, will there be a problem with the fuel for the Kozloduy NPP, if there are European sanctions against Russian nuclear energy, especially against the background of the already signed contracts with Westinghouse and Framatom, as well as with Russian fuel available at the plant?
This process must be carried out smoothly, precisely and with great care in the next 1-2 years. Its full implementation means a complete replacement of Russian nuclear fuel. The choice of American nuclear fuel is a step in the right direction.
How would the technical support of the nuclear power plant be in the event of EU sanctions against Rosatom?
There are concerns that we will not have spare parts for the plant. I believe that as nuclear fuel suppliers change, spare parts supply should follow the same path. Supplies of spare parts must be duplicated for some period of time. I don’t think this would be a precedent in Europe. There is enough accumulated knowledge, experience and technology.
Many businessmen in Bulgaria are worried about not getting on the “Magnitsky” list. Are you among them?
No, I have no such concerns.
Off the topic of the nuclear power plant and sanctions. Bulgaria seems to be about to abandon the Recovery and Resilience Plan because of the coal plants. What do you support – reforms or preservation of coal?
The only reliable reserve we can count on, at least for the foreseeable future, is coal. If the diversification process is delayed for technological reasons, it is coal power that will save us from a possible energy crisis.
Energy reforms will take a long time. I believe that the real horizon for a complete restructuring of the Bulgarian energy industry is 2035-38.
