en.Wedoany.com Reported - ZAT, a Czech company specializing in automation and nuclear power control systems, is advancing the modernization of the Reactor Rod Control System (RRCS) for Units 5 and 6 of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria. According to the company, the supply and installation of the RRCS for Unit 5 have been completed, and the system is now in the commissioning phase. Previously, ZAT had delivered the related systems for Unit 6 in 2025, which have been in operation since December of last year, indicating that the project is progressing in a phased manner.
The contract, signed by ZAT and its Bulgarian partner in March 2023, is valued at over 15 million euros and covers the supply of RRCS for both units at the Kozloduy plant. The RRCS is a critical system for reactor operation control in nuclear power plants, with primary functions including regulating reactor power, slowing down fission reactions, and enabling reactor shutdown when necessary. Therefore, the modernization of this system not only affects unit operational efficiency but also directly involves nuclear safety and long-term reliability.
The upgrade targets VVER-1000 units. ZAT states that the system upgrade will enhance unit operational flexibility and improve its adaptability to future technological developments. The project implementation requires coordination of multinational teams while meeting stringent nuclear safety requirements set by European regulators. The delivered systems are based on the ZAT SandRA Z100 platform, which the company describes as one of the more advanced control systems in the nuclear energy field, capable of meeting high-level safety requirements.
Upon project completion, ZAT's RRCS will be in operation on 13 VVER-1000 nuclear reactors in Europe. The company notes that Bulgaria was the last location within the European Union where Czech control systems had not yet been deployed on VVER nuclear units. This project further completes ZAT's market presence in the European VVER unit control system sector and strengthens its competitive position in nuclear power control technology.
ZAT states that its rod control system is compatible with various rod drive mechanisms used in VVER-1000 units and newer generation units, including VVER-1200, as well as the LKP-M/4 drive mechanism, which has a design life of 40 years. Currently, ZAT control systems are applied in 49 nuclear power units across 8 countries, and also serve research reactors, experimental reactors, and related nuclear technology facilities. The company also participates in a broader system of nuclear energy technology development and operational support through its control systems and long-term service support.
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