60 years since the first chain reaction in Bulgaria
With a special ceremony on the 11th October, 2021, the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy (INRNE) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences celebrated a fundamental event for nuclear energy – the 60th anniversary of the launch of the IRT-2000 experimental reactor. This was a unique facility at the time, which played a key role in creating experienced professionals in the nuclear field, who later provided invaluable assistance in the commissioning of Kozloduy NPP, and paved the way for a number of research and applied-science activities.
On the occasion of the anniversary, by a decision of the Scientific Council of the Institute, with an honorary plaque for “Outstanding contribution to the development of nuclear energy in Bulgaria” were awarded three persons – the Executive Director of State Enterprise Radioactive Waste, Eng. Dilyan Petrov; the Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP, Eng. Nasko Mihov and the Deputy Executive Director, Eng. Aleksandar Nikolov.
The plaques were presented by the Director of the Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lachezar Georgiev and during the award presentation, Prof. Dimitar Tonev stressed on the importance of a number of joint innovative projects between SERAW and INRNE, related to the safe management of radioactive waste. The care demonstrated by the Enterprise in creating specialists in this specific field through the establishment of a specialized class on RAW management in Kozloduy was also emphasized, as well as the support in development and scientific activity of students and PhD students.
The SERAW Executive Director received the plaque with words of gratitude and emphasized that he had accepted the award not only as gratitude from the scientific community, but also as a future commitment to assist in the research activities of the Institute.
During the event, the participants visited the ITR-2000 research reactor (decommissioned in 1989) and laboratories at the INRNE.
