Experience exchange at Kozloduy NPP

The Young Generation Network of the Romanian Nuclear Energy Association (RYG-AREN) recently organized a technical visit and study trip to the neighbouring Kozloduy NPP, in Bulgaria.
“Our objective for 2014 was to continue the positive relationship we have with young nuclear specialists from Kozloduy NPP and to further our cooperation with Bulgaria”, declared Gabriel Pavel, Chairman of Romanian Young Generation Network.

The members of the Bulgarian Nuclear Association visited two nuclear sites in Romania in the autumn of 2013: the Cernavoda NPP and the Pitesti nuclear fuel fabrication plant. This initiative opened up the possibility of future such cooperation and mutual visits.

“Apart from the main objective of learning about other NPPs and their operation - such as Kozloduy NPP, which uses a different technology to the one used at Cernavoda - we were interested in increasing the participation and involvement of our own members. RYG members work for different institutions around the country and by getting to know each other better  we will be able to do so even more efficiently on future projects”, added Gabriel Pavel. The participants in the technical visit work for various organizations, such as the Center for Technology and Engineering for Nuclear Projects (CITON), SN Nuclearelectrica SA, The Politechnica University of Bucharest and Cernavoda nuclear power plant.

The technical visit started with a brief presentation of the history of the NPP, which celebrates nearly 40 years of operation, followed by a tour of the turbine hall, the main control room and the electric switchyard. Throughout the visit the specialists from Kozloduy NPP answered the questions put to them by the Romanian young engineers, fuelling their curiosity to learn more about VVER - 1000 technology.

After the visits organized in 2012 to Zwetendorf NPP (Austria) and to Paks NPP (Hungary), this was the second international cooperation project initiated by the Romanian Young Generation Network with similar organizations from other countries.

The success of these activities wouldn’t have been possible without the constant support of the Romanian Atomic Forum „ROMATOM” and of SN Nuclearelectrica SA, which are always receptive to the initiatives of RYG. The two entities agreed to offer their support from the very beginning of the cooperation process between Romania and Bulgaria, believing that their support contributes to the motivation and training of the young nuclear specialists.

“We are pleased to note the enthusiasm raised by this project among the young members. We would like to thank our hosts from the Bulgarian Nuclear Association for their effort in organizing the trip. We wish to further develop the close cooperation that we have enjoyed with other European networks, and hope to increase the motivation of the younger generation and improve our knowledge of other nuclear technologies”, stated Livia Chitu, Vice Chairwoman of  RYG.