The expertise of the Bulgarian enterprise and the experience from the operational repository generated strong interest and laid the foundation for a new international partnership.
Representatives of the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste (SERAW) took part in the third edition of the “Türkiye Nuclear Business Platform” forum (TNBP 2026), held on August 26 and 27, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye.
The forum brought together government officials, leading experts, organizations, and companies from the nuclear energy sector and its related technologies and services. Its main objective was to present the current development of the nuclear industry in Türkiye, discuss the prospects for future nuclear projects, and explore opportunities for international partnership and cooperation.
Within the thematic panel “Standards, Radioactive Waste Management, and De-risking Investments”, Simona Tenderska, Head of Operation Department at the NDF Specialised Division, and Svetlana Blazhova, Interpreter at the NDF Specialised Division, delivered a presentation titled “Commissioning of the National Disposal Facility for Radioactive Waste”. The presentation summarized SERAW’s experience in commissioning an already operational repository – from construction and commissioning tests to actual operations involving the acceptance and emplacement of radioactive waste packages.
SERAW’s experience generated significant interest among the forum participants. During the event, discussions were held with representatives of the Turkish Ministry of Energy, and contacts were exchanged with a view to future cooperation between SERAW and the relevant Turkish institutions regarding the construction of a radioactive waste repository in Türkiye.
The participation of the SERAW team in TNBP 2026 provided valuable experience, both in terms of exchanging information and professional knowledge, and establishing new contacts with representatives of the Turkish nuclear sector. It reaffirmed the enterprise’s position as a reliable partner with proven experience in radioactive waste management, demonstrating that the expertise developed in Bulgaria is well-recognized on the international stage.
“This highly substantial forum addressed key issues related to the future of nuclear energy – the role of nuclear power, energy security, the development of nuclear projects, and new technologies, including small modular reactors,” explained Simona Tenderska. “All these topics highlight the complexity of nuclear energy development and underscore the importance of pooling expertise, experience, and efforts.”
Through its participation in international forums such as the “Türkiye Nuclear Business Platform”, SERAW reinforces its commitment to transparency, knowledge sharing, and long-term cooperation in the field of safe radioactive waste management.
