The Energy Minister, Zhecho Stankov, announced at the opening of the International Nuclear Conference in Varna that the contract for the construction of Units 7 and 8 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant will be signed by the end of 2026, BTA reported.

"I am confident that Bulgaria will be the first country in the EU to have a Westinghouse AP1000 reactor in operation," the minister stated before the participants of the 'Bulgarian Nuclear Energy - National, Regional and Global Energy Security' conference. One reactor will be commissioned by 2034 at the latest, with the other coming into operation within the next two years.

Zhecho Stankov confirmed that state funding for the project would be between 20 and 30 per cent. Bulgaria is negotiating with international institutions to secure the remainder of the investment.

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Programmes are being set up to encourage young people to choose subjects related to this field, ensuring the energy sector has the personnel it needs.