WRITTEN QUESTION E-0732/99

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(29 March 1999)

Subject: Nuclear Power Stations and the Millennium Bug

1. Has the Commission taken any action in support of the Member States' efforts to resolve the Year 2000 problem in nuclear power stations? If so, what?

2. Have any details emerged, in the context of the nuclear safety programme under Phare and Tacis, as to the approach being taken in Eastern Europe to the Year 2000 problem in nuclear power stations? If so, what action has been taken as a result?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

1. All Member States with operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) have programmes to address the year 2000 (Y2K) problem. Regulatory authorities are reviewing these programmes and are monitoring their execution. Most NPP operators report that they will be Y2K ready by June 1999. The Commission is in contact with relevant industrial groups for information on their activities. It has provided for discussion of the Y2K issue with Member States' regulators in relevant working groups and so promotes best regulatory practice. There is not a perceived need to increase the Commission's activities with respect to Y2K compliance of nuclear installations in the Member States, since they are already addressing the issue.

2. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States are reportedly taking measures. However it appears that the level of awareness and action is not homogeneous. The World association of nuclear operators (WANO) considers that it is currently hard to judge where adequate action has been undertaken, other than in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. WANO is encouraging the more experienced of its Western members to second experts to Eastern NPPs.

The International atomic energy agency (IAEA) plans to organise an assessment over the next three to four months. The assessment teams are expected to report back in May or June 1999 and a clearer picture of the needs will emerge then. Considering the tight time scale and the absence of any mandate for the Community to take an initiative, the Commission will focus its main efforts on supporting IAEA work. The Commission will make best use of the TACIS on-site assistance programme with Community nuclear operators, who will be fully integrated into the IAEA scheme. Discussions are taking place with the IAEA to further assess the practicalities of Community support. In addition to supporting IAEA assessment teams, the Commission will investigate whether resources could be put in place to address needs identified by these teams.

In the framework of the TACIS on-site assistance programme, the issue has already been taken up by one contractor (at Leningrad NPP). At the Commission's request, the issue was also addressed at the last on-site assistance meeting organised by WANO in November 1998. In December 1998, the Commission requested TACIS on-site assistance contractors to ensure the Y2K compliance of equipment delivered under Community programmes. In early 1999, the Commission initiated a new inquiry with all the Community utilities involved in the on-site assistance programme to raise awareness. The most recent on-site assistance contracts include a provision to address the issue at the specific sites.

The Commission has also raised the awareness of Eastern European nuclear regulatory authorities through discussions in the Concert group and is considering requests for support from the Slovakian and Bulgarian regulators.

The Commission intends to bring this matter to the attention of the forthcoming European Council in Cologne.