Valentin Nikolov

Amidst concerns surrounding energy security and the transition away from Russian nuclear fuel, the executive director of Bulgaria's Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), Valentin Nikolov, has reassured the public that there is no risk of operational disruptions.

"Bulgaria did not make the right decision regarding the old contract with Gazprom. There is no way to sign a new contract. Every step is a big problem. We are going to arbitration, most likely."

Trade unions and employers met with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to discuss the issue on 22nd of April, reports BNT. 

The meeting was attended by energy minister Temenuzhka Petkova, representatives of employers' organisations and trade unions. The reason for the meeting was a new rise in electricity prices for businesses since the beginning of April.

The Bulgarian Energy Holding is in the final stages of taking commitments regarding the BEH Gas case. To this end, the Parliament will instruct the Energy Minister Temenuja Petkova to take the necessary actions to reach an agreement with the European Commission's case BEH gas.

Former lawmaker Valentin Nikolov has quit the Patriotic Front coalition, rejecting its move to run together with far-right Ataka party in the upcoming early election.

Nikolov has followed the example of Dimitar Bayraktarov, calling the coalition "unprincipled" in an interview with private broadcaster NOVA TV.

The money for the Belene Nuclear Power Plant, which Bulgaria owes to Russia, must be secured in spite of the resignation of the government.

This expenditure has been approved by a decision of Parliament and has legal force, warned the Deputy Chairman of the Energy Commission Valentin Nikolov.

Parliamentary deputies from GERB, the Patriotic Front, the Reformist Bloc (RB) and BDTS-Naroden Sayuz have submitted a proposal for the establishment of a temporary survey commission for the Belene nuclear power plant, announced Antoni Trenchev from RB.

Although businesses in Bulgaria cancelled a protest scheduled for September 30 due to an increase in electricity prices for industrial consumers, their demands for a road map for reform in the energy sector remain in place.

Businesses have insisted that the implementation of the road map start on October 1, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio.

The Parliament's Committee on corruption, conflicts of interest and parliamentary ethics will stop reviewing anonymous tip-offs, according to Valentin Nikolov, chair of the entity.

Valentin Nikolov, Deputy Chair of the parliamentary energy committee, has recommended signing concession contracts for exploration blocks Silistar and Teres.

In a Thursday interview for Focus radio, he underscored that exploration activities at these blocks could make Bulgaria an independent country as regards energy supplies.