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COMMISSION OPINION

of 16 December 1988

concerning the nuclear power-station Trillo I (Spain)

(Only the Spanish text is authentic)

(89/82/Euratom)

The general data concerning the plan for the disposal of radioactive waste from Trillo I nuclear power-station were provided by the Spanish Government to the Commission, in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, by letter received on 4 July 1988.

In the course of the meeting of the group of experts set up pursuant to the Treaty, which took place on 7 November 1988 in Luxembourg, the representatives of the Spanish Government provided further complementary information and details.

On the basis of the data thus obtained and having consulted the group of experts, the Commission drew up the following opinion:

1. The distance from the installation to the closest point on the territory of another Member State, France, is approximately 280 km; Portugal is 350 km distant.

2. In normal operation of the power-station its liquid and gaseous effluent discharges are not liable to give rise to significant exposure of the population of other Member States.

3. Solid radioactive wastes are to be stored only temporarily on the power-station site prior to transport to a final storage or disposal facility, under State supervision.

Similarly, irradiated fuel elements are to be stored temporarily at the station site.

4. In the case of an unplanned discharge of radioactive effluents which could be occasioned by an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data, doses liable to be received in other Member States will not be significant from the point of view of health.

Spain has signed bilateral agreements concerning the exchange of information in case of nuclear incidents or accidents, with France, Italy and Portugal; a similar agreement is expected to be concluded shortly with the Federal Republic of Germany. These agreements also allow for hypothetical accidents, having radiological consequences more important than those presented in the general data, to be taken into account.

In conclusion, the Commission is of the opinion that the implementation of the plan for the discharge of radioactive effluents from Trillo nuclear power-station is not liable, either in normal operation or in the case of an accident of the type and magnitude considered in the general data to result in radioactive contamination, significant from the point of view of health, of the water, soil or airspace of another Member State.

The Commission draws attention to the fact that the general data for Trillo I nuclear power-station were submitted with considerable delay; indeed, the present opinion is issued some three months after connection of the station to the grid.

The Commission notes that the Spanish authorities had to revise the general data for this station, at a late stage of their preparation for submission, in the light of the experience gained from the examination under Article 37 of the disposal plans for Vandellos II nuclear power-station; the Commission nevertheless stresses that, in order to have any effect, its opinion must be rendered before a discharge authorization is granted, and before the implementation of the disposal plan for the installation concerned. The Commission insists that, in the future, general data be submitted in sufficient time to allow these obligations to be fully respected.

This opinion is addressed to the Kingdom of Spain.

Done at Brussels, 16 December 1988.

For the Commission

Stanley CLINTON DAVIS

Member of the Commission