We are increasingly losing capacity, the number of young people in the nuclear energy sector is decreasing, and interest in teaching is also declining. This was stated by Tsvyatko Bachiski, Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, during the third discussion of "Bulatom" on the development of nuclear energy. The topic was "Infrastructure for the development of nuclear energy." He stated that if we do not organize to ensure human resources, neither the construction nor the operation of nuclear power plants will be possible. The nuclear expert stated that on Wednesday, the government adopted a strategy for the development of human resources in the nuclear sector for the period 2022-2032. And in the motivations of the Council of Ministers themselves, it is written that the goal is to overcome the discrepancy between the sector's need for personnel and their availability. Bachiski stated that there must be joint efforts between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry, and the Agency. Galina Drenovska from the Ministry of Education stated that the insufficient interest in nuclear and generally technical specialties is due to the lack of a strategy that would outline the development of nuclear energy at the state level. This uncertainty regarding future implementation does not make this education attractive. She stated that only 50% of those who started training in energy complete it, while for bachelors and masters it is 90%. She stated that the largest number of graduates are professional bachelors. In higher education, specialties in energy, physics, and chemistry are state-protected; they are under state order. This means that students do not pay tuition fees and receive scholarships. Drenovska stated that there are only three years in which an increased intake of students is expected. Due to the demographic crisis, a serious decline will follow. Therefore, there is no time to stimulate interest in this education. Associate Professor Kalin Filipov from the Technical University provided historical statistics, stating that in 2000, there were 100 students in nuclear energy, and half of them graduated. By 2007-2008, the number was 60, it dropped to 15, and this figure has remained stable for the last 5 years. However, only 7-8 of them graduated, and how should these people be distributed among the Agency, the nuclear power plant, and engineering companies? The former Energy Minister in the "Saxeburggotoski" cabinet, Milko Kovachev, stated that everyone is fine with the money from "Kozloduy" being used to support businesses and households. But there is no vision for the development of nuclear energy. The impetus will come when the construction of the nuclear program begins intensively, stated Bogomil Manchev, Chairman of "Bulatom." He repeated the thesis from the organization's program that by 2050, 4 operating blocks are expected, leaving 28 years, which is a short time. He stated that 1300 people will be needed, "the industry will press us, but it is better for it to press us," he added. The Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Bachiski, stated that currently there are no problems with the regulatory framework for nuclear energy, no amendments are required, but this does not mean that they will not be required in the future. "We have bitter experience with the nuclear project "Belene"; it reached a certain point, stopped, conditions changed, safety requirements changed, the project had to be reconsidered, which led to a very, very long delay in the licensing process. With the change in political conditions, this project conditionally lost its perspective. I say conditionally, because there is still no decision on how to continue with nuclear power plants," he stated. Bachiski recalled that there is a process in Europe debating whether nuclear energy should be recognized as a sustainable low-emission energy source, in light of the Green Deal, whether there is a place for nuclear energy. The debate is ongoing, and a vote in parliament is pending. The conditions set by the EC will require a review and update of the regulatory framework. One of the factors that can seriously affect future development is the requirement to implement new accident-tolerant fuel. The goal is to have such fuel licensed by national regulators by 2025. In connection with the political situation, there are problems with fuel for countries operating VVER reactor blocks. Common views on fuel for VVER 440 blocks are being developed, he added, and recalled that Bulgaria has significant experience with fuel for the thousand-series units and with the requirements for new fuel. The question of what to do with fuel after its life cycle also remains. The conditions that may be imposed are for deep burial, which means we must again review the regulatory framework in light of the requirements that will be imposed on such facilities.
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