WRITTEN QUESTION E-0544/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Bohunice and Mochovce

The nuclear power stations at Bohunice and Mochovce represent incalculable risks not only to the local population. Accidents in the A1 Bohunice reactor in 1976 and 1977 released large quantities of radioactive material and contaminated some of the land around the plant and banks of streams and rivers downstream. There is also persistent groundwater contamination from leaking containers and the release of radioactively-contaminated material after the flooding of the storage area.

When the Slovakian regulatory authority (UJD) was re-established in January 1993 its senior echelons were composed entirely of former staff from the Bohunice nuclear power station involved in the Bohunice-A1 accident.

1. Who is responsible:

(a) for informing the population in event of the release of radioactive material into the biosphere, and

(b) for inspecting and repairing the damage to reactor A1?

2. What independent body will in future ensure that the population is informed in good time and protected from injury by contaminated material?

3. On the basis of what considerations and what assessment of the situation is the dismantling of Bohunice A1 being continually postponed (latest date: 2050)?

4. Which of the modifications to reactors 1 and 2 at Mochovce called for in the agreement between the operators and Riskaudit have not yet been carried out?

5. When and by whom are the implementation and approval of the remaining security measures for reactor 1 to be carried out?

6. Is there any independent inspectorate apart from the UJD holding any responsibility for safety measures and radiation protection?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2000)

The Slovak government has taken the decision to shut down reactors 1 and 2 at Bohunice V1 by 2006 and 2008 respectively. The old A1 reactor at Bohunice is currently under decommissioning. Recommendations made by international bodies to improve security at Mochovce are being taken into account.

The information available to the Commission indicates that contamination resulting from the incidents at Bohunice A1 affected the soil below and around the plant. Contaminated soil has been isolated. Soil and water in the proximity of the site is permanently monitored.

In Slovakia, the operator of a nuclear power plant has the obligation to inform immediately the Slovak nuclear regulatory authority (UJD) of any nuclear incident. According to the international convention on early notification, which has been ratified by Slovakia, the Slovak nuclear regulatory authority (UJD) is responsible for the information of the population as well as of the neighbouring countries.

The operator of Bohunice A1 (Slovenske Elektrarne) has the obligation of decommissioning the A1 reactor and is in charge of doing so. A decommissioning unit with a staff of 24 is devoted to this task. The UJD is responsible for the monitoring of the decommissioning process.

There is no postponement as regards the decommissioning of the A1 reactor. Decommissioning is a long process. The first phase of the operation (dismantling waste) is currently being carried out. A second phase (dismantling the technical parts of the reactor, except the reactor vessel), is expected to be completed by 2010. The third phase (dismantling the reactor vessel) is expected to be completed by 2050.

The PHARE nuclear safety programme funded a review of the Mochovce nuclear power plant by Community experts. This review recommended a number of safety-related measures, which have been implemented. Non-safety recommendations resulting from this review in view of aligning the Mochovce practices to western standards should be implemented by 2001. The operator (Slovenske Elektrarne) is responsible for the implementation of the recommendations. UJD is responsible for the monitoring of the implementation. It is an independent body responsible for nuclear safety in the Slovak Republic. The Slovak ministry of Health is responsible for radio-protection. Technical inspections of all equipment of a nuclear power plant not directly related to nuclear safety are carried out under the responsibility of the Safety labour inspectorate from the Slovak ministry of Labour.