Ontario and Bulgaria Sign Large-Scale Nuclear Support Agreement
December 3, 2025
Ontario will provide its nuclear energy expertise to support the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant
SOFIA, BULGARIA – Today, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce joined Bulgarian Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov to announce an agreement to leverage Ontario’s nuclear expertise to support Bulgaria’s nuclear energy expansion. Building on conversations between Ontario and Bulgaria at the recent World Nuclear Symposium, the agreement will leverage Ontario’s nuclear energy expertise to help Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) New Build with the construction of two new proposed nuclear reactor units – units 7 and 8.
Ontario is a global leader in nuclear power, with the proven safe and successful operation of the province’s three nuclear generating stations and delivering large-scale refurbishments on-time and on-budget. Under the agreement, a new consortium comprised of Laurentis Energy Partners, BWXT Canada Ltd. and Canadian Nuclear Partners S.A., has been selected to support a two-phase contract valued at hundreds of millions of dollars to support the build of the two Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor units.
“Ontario is solidifying Canada’s global leadership in clean, emissions-free nuclear power, and the world is watching,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Ontario’s nuclear expertise will support Bulgaria’s large-scale nuclear expansion to deliver reliable, affordable power to their country, while creating jobs and protecting our economy here at home. As jurisdictions around the world seek stable, democratic sources of energy, global leaders are turning to Ontario’s 50-year track record of on-time and on-budget expertise.”
Phase one will begin immediately to support planning work over the next 15 months. Pending approvals, phase two is expected to begin in 2027 and includes the construction of the units over the next eight to ten years. The project supports hundreds of jobs, combining local and European hiring with expertise from Ontario and across Canada. It will also provide Ontario with the opportunity to expand its expertise into the light water nuclear sector for the first time.
“Our country has secured leading international partners with proven experience across the full nuclear lifecycle – from design through commissioning,” said Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy, Bulgaria. “This project is an investment not only in our long-term energy security, but also in the strength of Bulgarian industry. Thirty percent of the specialists working on the project will be Bulgarian experts, providing our workforce with new knowledge, advanced technologies, and meaningful growth opportunities.”
After more than 50 years of successful nuclear deployment and operations with CANDU technology, Ontario is exporting its clean energy advantage to fast-growing economies as part of its plan to open new markets for the province’s nuclear supply chain, create good-paying jobs and secure our position as a global energy superpower. Small modular reactor (SMR) partnership agreements already in place in Estonia, Poland and Belgium, while a major refurbishment project is underway on the CANDU Unit 1 reactor at Romania’s Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.
Ontario’s nuclear leadership in securing new commercial opportunities and providing support for other jurisdictions’ nuclear sectors is a key pillar of Energy for Generations, Ontario’s long-term roadmap to deliver reliable, affordable and secure energy to power the most competitive economy in the G7. With a clear path forward, the plan is not only meeting the demands of today, it is protecting jobs, supporting workers and powering economic growth for generations to come.