Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) has been selected as the preferred negotiating partner for a major nuclear power plant project in Bulgaria, marking its return to the overseas market after 15 years.
The company announced on Feb. 23 that it has solely passed the pre-qualification assessment for the new construction project of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria and obtained approval from the Bulgarian parliament.
Hyundai E&C being selected as the preferred negotiating partner for the new construction project at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant entails the addition of two new reactors, each with a capacity of 2,200 MW, within the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site, located approximately 200 km north of the capital city, Sofia. The final contractor selection is expected to take place in April after negotiations with the client, Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant – New Builds Plc (KNPP-NB).
The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, responsible for one-third of Bulgaria’s electricity production, was constructed in 1969 as Bulgaria’s first nuclear power plant. Units 1 to 4 were closed due to aging issues, and currently, Units 5 and 6, which are pressurized water reactor (PWR) models developed in Russia, are operational. The newly confirmed Units 7 and 8 are scheduled to be constructed with the AP1000 model, aiming for operation until 2035.
In this bidding process, which included renowned companies such as Bechtel and Fluor, Hyundai E&C emerged as the sole contractor that met all rigorous prerequisites, showcasing its prowess as a top global nuclear construction company once again by independently securing approval from parliament.
The company has been at the forefront of strengthening the position of South Korea’s nuclear power industry. The company recently signed an exclusive contract with Holtec International, a U.S. nuclear power company. Furthermore, it has embarked on the design process for the first small modular reactor (SMR) in the United States, making it the first domestic construction company to do so. In addition to large-scale nuclear power projects, Hyundai E&C is expanding its global influence across the entire life cycle of nuclear power, including SMRs, nuclear decommissioning, and post-use nuclear fuel facilities.