WRITTEN QUESTION E-3655/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (19 November 1997)

Subject: Suspension of operation of Kozloduy nuclear reactors

Agenda 2000 states that, owing to delays, two of the four reactors of the Kozloduy plant will go off stream in 2001, while the other two will follow suit in 2001/2002, despite the fact that the agreement between Bulgaria and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provided for Kozludoy to suspend operations in 1998. Reports have revealed that the Bulgarian Government intends to maintain the reactors until 2005 and 2010, respectively.

In its reply to my Question No. 1545/96 ((OJ C 305, 15.10.1996, p. 107.)) the Commission stated that a number of investment projects had been selected, such as a feasibility study in respect of a link-up of the Greek and Bulgarian electricity networks which was scheduled to begin in the second half of 1996 with the aim of gradually replacing Kozloduy.

Will the Commission say:

1. What time schedule will it propose for the reactors finally to go off stream?

2. What stage have the various investment plans and the feasibility study for the link-up between the Greek and Bulgarian electricity networks reached?

3. What is the reason for the delay in the extension of the UCPTE to the Balkans?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

1. The agreement signed between the European bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) and Bulgaria does not foresee exact dates for shutting down units 1 to 4 of the Kozloduy plant. The agreement fixes certain conditions for shutting down the units, as follows: units 1 and 2 will be closed as soon as sufficient replacement energy is available by putting the Chaira pumping station on line and either the Varna thermal power plant or one of the Kozloduy 5 and 6 units are modernized and units 3 and 4 will be closed as soon as the energy situation allows it, but in any case as soon as Kozloduy 5 and 6 are modernised and conversion of Sofia, Kostov and Republika district heating plants to combined cycle co-generation of heat and power is completed.

None of these conditions have been fulfilled yet. It is expected that if the modernisation programme of units 5 and 6 goes as scheduled, the earliest date that the first condition is fulfilled could be the year 2001.

The Commission has expressed its opinion under Agenda 2000 ((COM(97) 2000 final. )), and requested the Bulgarian authorities to honour their agreement with EBRD and close the oldest units as soon as possible.

2. The feasibility study on the joint operation and interconnection of the Greek and Bulgarian electricity networks is in the process of being finalised. The implementation of this study has been delayed due to financing problems caused by the economic and banking sector crisis in Bulgaria that started mid-1996 and which has only been brought under control by mid-1997.

3. Since a few months the networks of Greece, Serbia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Rumania, Bulgaria and Albania have successfully been put in parallel operation.

Various studies (including works by Phare) have shown that connecting the Balkan grid to the Union for the coordination of the production and transport of electric power (UCPTE) can be done without major technical difficulties and the investments needed are now rather well identified.

However, there are still difficulties in effectively ensuring the interconnection. These include the building or rehabilitation of enough high voltage power lines between the UCPTE/CENTREL block ((UCPTE (grid of Western Europe) CENTREL (grid of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia working on a permanent basis since last year). )) and the networks of the Balkan region.