The redundant nuclear units and the happy moment for the Maritsa Basin

In brief

Two years after his piece on nuclear's decline, the author revisits the debate on Kozloduy's closed small units. Using an undated report on repairs at units 5 and 6 (35 vs 144 days, 93% capacity factor), the history of Belene's equipment and the World Bank and Mitsui modernisation of Maritsa East 2, he argues that closing the old units did not bring a system collapse, higher prices or a shrinking economy. He ends with questions about remaining reactor life, spent fuel and who protects the public interest.