Sofia losing money from nuke plant closure

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Bulgaria could lose nearly $11 million from electricity exports from a nuclear power plant because of a defective part, the country's economic minister said.

Bulgarian Economic Minister Traicho Traikov said Sofia was unable to restart its 1,000 megawatt nuclear power plant in Kozloduy because it had defective equipment for the Unit 6 reactor.

Russian nuclear company Rosatom said it was making preparations for an emergency delivery of equipment, the Sofia News Agency Reports.

"The Russian side is ready to provide as soon as possible the necessary equipment for the resumption of the work of Unit 6 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant," Rosatom Chief Executive Officer Sergei Kiriyenko was quoted as saying.

Kiriyenko added the new supplies could be in Bulgaria as early as Monday.

Traikov added that his country could lose nearly $11 million because the plant shutdown halted exports of electricity. The plant could go back online within 10 days, however.