OREANDA-NEWS. December 4, 2007. On November 30, Kozloduy nuclear power plant celebrated 20-year anniversary of connection to the grid of its fifth nuclear power unit. The celebrations, to which representatives of Russian companies were invited, including JSC TVEL, RRC Kurchatov Institute and OKB Gidropress, also framed a press conference for Bulgarian mass media, TVEL's press service reports.

At the press conference Ivan Genov, the Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP, expressed his high appreciation of the role played by the Russian organizations in construction of the plant and support of its operation. He also expressed his hope for further fruitful cooperation.

In his address Vladimir Molchanov, the Deputy Executive Director of JSC TVEL (was the Chief Designer's representative at Kozloduy unit 5 startup procedure), noted that TVEL Corporation was offering Kozloduy NPP an advanced nuclear fuel which would improve reliability and effectiveness of the plant operation. He said a larger uranium charge that was by 14 kg greater than that of the standard TVSA design, was one of upgrades made to the fuel assembly. One more upgrade of the fuel assembly is the anti-debris filter which is used to avoid damage of fuel rods by foreign objects present in the primary coolant. This feature improves TVSA operational reliability.

TVEL Corporation suggests that Kozloduy NPP implement advanced fuel campaigns with the TVSA of improved design, i.e. a 470-effective-day campaign featuring refueling each 18 months. The use of new TVSA in advanced fuel cycles will also improve the plant availability factor.

Vladimir Molchanov said relevant materials were being prepared for delivery to Kozloduy NPP. This year Kozloduy NPP also celebrated the 30-year anniversary of commissioning of its unit one. The Bulgarian nuclear power plant has operated with fuel made in Russia for all these years.