On October 1 and 2, the InterContinental Sofia hotel will host the fifth International Nuclear Conference and Exhibition. The event is organized by the Bulgarian Energy and Mining Forum (BEMF) under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy. Its focus is clear — the status of the new nuclear units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site.

The forum, titled "Nuclear Energy – From Ambition to Realization," will center over its two days mainly on the project for Units 7 and 8 of the plant, which is being built using AP1000 technology. Small modular reactors will be another major topic, with discussions on whether and how they could be deployed in Bulgaria.

Organizers have announced the event's agenda. Speakers will address the financing and insurance of nuclear projects, as well as licensing issues surrounding AP1000 technology in the European market. The program will also cover the latest developments in nuclear energy related to data centers, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The forum is expected to draw representatives from Bulgarian and European institutions, international organizations, regulators, financial companies and firms from the nuclear industry. Presentations are scheduled from the American company Exelon, Westinghouse, Framatome (part of EDF), Siemens, the European Commission, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Bulgarian Energy Holding, Kozloduy NPP – New Builds, insurance company Marsh, and law firm CMS.

Organizers hope the forum will open the door for Bulgarian businesses to join the supply chain for the new construction. The invitation is aimed at companies in engineering, construction, machine-building, electrical equipment, automation, materials, information technology and cybersecurity.

Small modular reactors will also be discussed separately — specifically their potential to generate electricity, heat and hydrogen in Bulgaria, as well as to meet industrial needs.

The two-day event will conclude with an international discussion on how to accelerate the rollout of new nuclear projects across Europe.

The topic of Kozloduy's Units 7 and 8 has already been discussed at a high level — over the summer, Prime Minister Rumen Radev held talks with Westinghouse's leadership specifically on this project.