ДП РАО » национално хранилище

The National Disposal Facility Accepted its 100th Reinforced-concrete Container with Conditioned RAW

infocenter — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:41:02 +0000

On 26 August 2026, the National Disposal Facility for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste (NDF) accepted reinforced concrete container No. 002102, marking the 100th radioactive waste container accepted since the facility was commissioned in April 2026.

Currently, one package is located in the Buffer Storage Building of the NDF. All other containers have been emplaced in Cell No. 12 of the Disposal Facility.

By this symbolic 100th container, the NDF reinforces its role as a key element of the national radioactive waste management system. Each container holds conditioned low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste, processed and stored safely in accordance with the highest safety standards.

“The 100th container is not just a milestone to celebrate. It is the result of the consistent and rigorous work of the entire NDF team. Each package undergoes the same strict control procedures, in full compliance with all safety requirements. This is our daily responsibility towards the public and the environment,” commented Ira Stefanova, Chief Engineer of the NDF.

The acceptance of the 100th container is yet another proof of the successful operation of the NDF and of SERAW’s commitment to the safe management of radioactive waste in Bulgaria, in compliance with the national legislation and EU standards.

The National Disposal Facility for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste, located at the Radiana Site, is designed for a 60-year operational period. Its Phase 1 comprises 22 reinforced-concrete cells with a total capacity of 6,336 containers for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste generated during the decommissioning of Units 1 to 4 of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.

SERAW Presented the National Disposal Facility at the “Türkiye Nuclear Business Platform” International Forum in Ankara

infocenter — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:33:27 +0000

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.

(Български) НХ РАО с първа награда за критична инфраструктура на Дунавския регион

infocenter — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:10:18 +0000

(Български) ДП РАО откри Националното хранилище за радиоактивни отпадъци – едно от най-модерните в Европа

infocenter — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:56:56 +0000

THE NATIONAL REPOSITORY FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE – ACT 16 ISSUED

infocenter — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:34:52 +0000

On 25 March 2026, a State Acceptance Commission was held for the project “National Repository for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste.” Based on the site inspection, the submitted documentation, the discussions, and the opinions of the twenty-three-member commission chaired by Eng. Radoslava Pasheva, a conclusion was reached confirming compliance with the issued construction permits and regulatory requirements. On this basis, the issuance of Protocol Form 16 was proposed. With this act, the National Construction Control Directorate confirms that the facility has been constructed in accordance with the approved designs and is fit for its intended use.
“We are pleased that today’s decision allows us to mark the completion of a long and challenging project of the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste,” said the Executive Director of the enterprise, Eng. Dilyan Petrov, at the end of the meeting. He emphasized that with the construction of this facility, Bulgaria joins the limited number of countries with a completed radioactive waste management cycle and underlined that the availability of a repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste is of key importance for the development of new nuclear capacities in Bulgaria.
Following the issuance of the permit for use of the facility, SE RAW is expected to obtain an operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
Also on 25 March 2026, by decision of the Council of Ministers, the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste was designated as a “nuclear operator” in the Republic of Bulgaria within the meaning of the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. A prerequisite for the issuance of an operating license for the National Repository is the provision of a financial guarantee covering liability for nuclear damage.
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The project for the construction of the National Repository for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste was assigned to the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste (SE RAW) by a government decision in 2005 (Council of Ministers Decision No. 683/25.07.2005). Over time, the process has been divided into three main stages: site selection, design, and construction. Following extensive regional and detailed geological, geophysical, geochemical, engineering-geological, and hydrogeological studies, a preferred site was selected for the construction of the national repository – the “Radiana” site.
On 29 August 2017, SE RAW officially launched the construction of the National Repository for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste.
The Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund financed the project through a grant administered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Romania Builds on Bulgaria’s Experience in Developing a National Radioactive Waste Repository

infocenter — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:58:40 +0000

Cooperation with SE Radioactive Waste focuses on the construction of a national repository in Romania at a key stage of the project
From 26 to 30 January 2026, the State Enterprise Radioactive Waste hosted for a second time a working visit by the senior management of Romania’s Nuclear and Radioactive Waste Agency. The delegation—comprising President Mihaita Gaina, Vice President Ramona Popescu, and Senior Advisor Monica Carmen—took part in an intensive five-day exchange of knowledge and good practices with their Bulgarian counterparts. This visit, the second following the initial one in June 2021, underscored the maturity and strategic importance of the partnership between the two national operators, particularly as the Romanian project enters an active phase for the construction of a near-surface repository.
During the visit, Romanian specialists received a comprehensive overview of the full technological cycle of radioactive waste management in Bulgaria. They toured key facilities, including the Turbine Hall, the Measurement and Clearance System, the Plasma Melting Facility (during an operational campaign), the Size Reduction and Decontamination Workshop, the Site and Workshop for the Production of Reinforced-Concrete Containers, the “Radioactive Waste – Kozloduy” Specialized Unit, and the National Repository for Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste (NR LILW).
The programme featured in-depth technical sessions in which experts from SE Radioactive Waste presented their developments and experience across several critical areas:
• Automated radioactive waste traceability system;
• Management of materials and waste arising from decommissioning activities, with a focus on achievements, lessons learned, and next steps;
• Core systems and components ensuring the safe disposal of radioactive waste;
• Information policy and public communication, including concrete mechanisms for turning concepts into successful programmes.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to share the experience of SE Radioactive Waste,” said Vice President Ramona Popescu, “as we are now beginning construction of the same type of repository in Romania and the concepts are very similar. This is why we chose to draw on your experience. We are impressed by the wide range of activities and were pleased to see the Plasma Melting Facility in operation—waste minimisation is a priority for us, and you already have solid experience. We also hold the Information Centre in very high regard for its professionalism in terms of projects, products, and public relations.”
President Mihaita Gaina emphasised the strategic dimension of the cooperation: “The relationship we are building with you is extremely important. We hope it has already become a permanent channel for a productive future. The most important part for us was the visit to the National Repository and the impressive progress achieved there. In the near future, we would be pleased to return the visit, as we rely on your expertise for the technical assessment of our project, whose specifications are almost identical.”
In the context of the visit (since August 2025 Romania has been in an active phase of site selection for its national repository, with a design contract already signed), the practical experience and accumulated expertise of SE Radioactive Waste – as an operator with a completed facility—has become an invaluable resource for the Romanian partners. This second, more focused and in-depth visit strengthened mutual trust and respect and outlined clear prospects for continued cooperation. The partnership is already evolving from a general exchange of information into concrete, project-based support between the two neighbouring countries, aimed at ensuring the highest standards of nuclear safety in the region.

(Български) Мониторингов комитет отчете хода на Програма „Козлодуй“ по извеждане от експлоатация

infocenter — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:11:38 +0000

SERAW acquaints media with details about the National Disposal Facility for Radioactive Waste

infocenter — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 07:45:14 +0000

In partnership with the nuclear regulator, the Enterprise confirmed its commitment for full transparency of the NDF construction project management procedures

On 14 October 2025, the Information Centre for Decommissioning of State Enterprise Radioactive Waste welcomed journalists covering energy field topics from national and regional media outlets within the framework of a two-day training seminar organized by the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency. The Chief Engineer of Specialized Division National Disposal Facility, Ira Stefanova, introduced the media representatives in detail to the current status and background of the project for construction of the National Disposal Facility for Low- and Intermediate-level Radioactive Waste. The main interest of the media was primarily focused on topics related to the deadlines for commissioning of the facility, as well as the amount of funding and project funding sources. For the sake of comprehensiveness, the SERAW Executive Director, Dilyan Petrov, and representatives of the Enterprise’s management, also joined the discussion.
After being introduced clarity into the licensing procedure and current issues and solutions, the journalists visited Radiana site and had the opportunity to witness a demonstration of a remotely controlled operation of moving a reinforced concrete container for radioactive waste using the SCADA management and control system, which will be used to arrange the RAW packages in the disposal facility. They also closely examined in-situ the disposal cells, the mobile roofs and the Auxiliary Buildings of the National Disposal Facility.

Polish experts rely upon the experience of SERAW in decommissioning and radioactive waste management activities

infocenter — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:26:55 +0000

Experts from the National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA) and the Radioactive Waste Management Plant (ZUOP) of Poland found the experience of State Enterprise Radioactive Waste impressive after the end of a scientific visit for technical cooperation, which took place in the period 23-30 July. The visit was initiated by the Polish country, which has yet to build nuclear power facilities, and was jointly organized by the Bulgarian Nuclear Regulatory Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The purpose of the scientific visit was for the Polish experts to familiarize themselves in due time with various aspects of decommissioning, radioactive waste management (RAW), as well as with the related regulatory activities.

The Polish delegation visited the Permanent Repository for RAW near Novi han to learn firsthand about the more important issues, linked with the monitoring programme, waste acceptance criteria and subsequent management thereof. In the following days of the visit, the focus shifted on the activities of the Specialized Divisions of SERAW at Kozloduy site. In a number of meetings, presentations and discussions at the Information Centre for Decommissioning, experts and part of the management of the Enterprise explained the main points in implementation of the Decommissioning Programme, RAW management, as well as further disposal. The Polish delegation had the opportunity to familiarize themselves visually with SERAW organisation and actual work processes by visiting in-situ the Turbine Hall of Units 1 to 4, Control Room – 2, Free Release Measurement Facility, Size Reduction & Decontamination Workshop, Storage Facility for temporary storage of conditioned RAW and the National Disposal Facility for low- and intermediate-level RAW on Radiana site. At the end of the visit, the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Tsanko Bachiyski, and the President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of Poland, Andrzej Głowacki, joined the group of Polish experts. Both of them also participated in the final meeting of the scientific visit to SERAW Head Office, where they had a formal conversation with the Chairman of the Management Board of the Enterprise, Sergey Tsochev, on the outcome of the visit and the prospects of strengthening professional relationship.

“We would like to thank you for the hospitality and overall organisation, for the comprehensive informational presentations and for the opportunity to visit real operating facilities of SERAW. The experience of the Bulgarian experts in the field of RAW management is impressive. The SERAW experts gave us many good examples of safe and sustainable radioactive waste management. We are impressed with the successful implementation of the National Disposal Facility project. We look forward to future collaboration,” shared the representatives of the Polish RAW Disposal Enterprise upon ending their scientific visit.

Poland is one of the few countries in the former Socialist Bloc to remain without a nuclear power plant. Currently, the energy transition plans are ambitious, and over the recent years the country has been actively working to build nuclear power facilities.

Installation of the cranes, which will be used to stack the RAW packages in the Disposal Facility, has been completed

infocenter — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:29:24 +0000

The installation of the two overhead bridge cranes, which will be used to carry out the stacking operations of reinforced-concrete containers loaded with radioactive waste in the National Disposal Facility for radioactive waste, has been completed in full.
The 30-tonne facilities are positioned immediately under the two mobile roofs protecting the RAW packages from external atmospheric conditions during the process of filling the cells and during construction of the roof plate of each cell. The facilities will be controlled remotely through SCADA monitoring and control system; thereby, SERAW protects its own personnel by minimizing dose uptake in accordance with the ALARA* principle.
The cranes’ instrumentation and control systems are due to be connected, as well as the cameras, through which the operators will carry out the activities on stacking the RAW packages from the control room. It is intended to install buffers to protect the mobile roofs’ structure against impact, as well as to clad it with with wall and roof steel sheets.
All crane operation systems are subject to technical supervision and functional tests before being commissioned.

*ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) – one of the main criteria formulated as early as 1954 by the International Commission on Radiologic Protection in order to minimize the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. It envisages maintaining the lowest possible achievable level of both individual (lower than the limits established by the effective regulations) and collective exposure doses, taking into account social and economic factors.