The two new reactors will be located at the site of the state-owned Kozloduy plant on the Danube river, which currently relies on Russian fuel for its two Soviet-built 1,000-megawatt reactors.

The country's sole nuclear plant signed deals last year to diversify its nuclear fuel deliveries from 2024 in efforts to replace shipments from Russia in the wake of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The two new reactors -- which will provide a total of 2,300 MW -- will use Westinghouse's technology, the government said in a statement.

The first is to be ready in 2033, while the second is expected to be completed two or three years later, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said.

Bulgaria has earmarked an initial 500 million leva (250 million euro, $270 million) for the project.

The Kozloduy plant already signed an agreement with Westinghouse Electric in June for preliminary engineering work.

The plant, in the north, supplies one-third of the country's electricity.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Bulgaria has sped up seeking ways to diversify its energy sources to stop its near-total dependence on Russia.

The project to expand the current nuclear plant with a new US-built reactor was initiated under a previous administration.

On the other hand, a project to build a new nuclear power plant using Russian technology in Belene, also in the north, was abandoned in 2021.

Coal-fired power plants must close by 2038 as part of Bulgaria's engagements under the European Green Deal.

A month ago, groups of miners blocked several roads, including two highways, in protest at the closures.