Bulgaria Inaugurates National Repository for Low and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste
Bulgaria has officially inaugurated its National Repository for Radioactive Waste (NKhRAO) near the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, marking the completion of a 15-year construction project. The facility, located at the Radyana site, is designed to manage low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste generated from domestic industry, medicine, and nuclear power operations, including decommissioning activities. It will not accept foreign waste or spent nuclear fuel. The repository features 66 reinforced concrete disposal cells across three platforms, with an initial capacity for over 6,000 containers. Expected to operate for 60 years before closure, the site will undergo monitoring for an additional 300 years. Funded primarily by a €76 million grant from the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund and national co-financing, the project incorporates advanced waste volume reduction technologies such as plasma combustion and super pressing. Acting Energy Minister Traicho Traikov highlighted that this infrastructure places Bulgaria among nations with advanced nuclear energy capabilities, effectively closing the national nuclear safety cycle and enhancing environmental protection standards.
Wire timeline
Bulgaria Inaugurates National Repository for Low and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste
Bulgaria has officially inaugurated its National Repository for Radioactive Waste (NKhRAO) near the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, marking the completion of a 15-year construction project. The facility, located at the Radyana site, is designed to manage low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste generated from domestic industry, medicine, and nuclear power operations, including decommissioning activities. It will not accept foreign waste or spent nuclear fuel. The repository features 66 reinforced concrete disposal cells across three platforms, with an initial capacity for over 6,000 containers. Expected to operate for 60 years before closure, the site will undergo monitoring for an additional 300 years. Funded primarily by a €76 million grant from the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund and national co-financing, the project incorporates advanced waste volume reduction technologies such as plasma combustion and super pressing. Acting Energy Minister Traicho Traikov highlighted that this infrastructure places Bulgaria among nations with advanced nuclear energy capabilities, effectively closing the national nuclear safety cycle and enhancing environmental protection standards.
Nuclear Engineering International