WRITTEN QUESTION E-1436/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Pre-accession procedure and progress of programmes to decommission and dismantle nuclear reactors in the CEECs

Within the framework of the partnership ties between the European Union and certain applicant countries of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), it is planned to close down nuclear reactors and units which are unsafe and cannot be upgraded at a reasonable cost.

Given that in Bulgaria units 1 and 2 of the Kozloduy plant are due to be shut down before the end of 2002 and reactors 3 and 4 before 2006 (VVER-440/230 reactors), in Lithuania unit 1 of the Ignalina power plant is due to close before 2004 and unit 2 in 2008 (RBMK reactors) and in Slovakia the units of the Bohunice VI plant (VVER-440/230 reactors) are due to close before 2006 and 2007, respectively, and given also that the Commission is monitoring compliance with the commitments to shut down these reactors as part of the implementation of the priorities of the accession partnership, will it say:

1. What stage have the procedures for drawing up plans and work for decommissioning reactors in the countries in question reached, and does it consider that the timetables, phases and measures drawn up are satisfactory as far as the implementation of the commitments is concerned?

2. What appropriations have been granted through international aid funds managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as non-refundable aid for decommissioning work?

3. What appropriations has it granted to programmes for the reactors in question through Euratom, and what financial aid has been given to the three countries in question to meet their energy sector needs?

4. How is the Commission monitoring the implementation of the programmes to decommission unsafe reactors and what measures are foreseen should the countries in question fail to honour the commitments assumed under the partnership ties with the EU?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

With regard to the introductory part of the Written Question, the Commission would like to clarify the status as follows: The respective candidate countries have, to date, not confirmed dates for the closure of Unit 2 of the Ignalina nuclear power plant (NPP) and of Units 3-4 of the Kozloduy NPP. The confirmation of the dates is the subject of contacts with the Lithuanian and Bulgarian Governments. The dates mentioned by the Honourable Member reflect the expectations expressed by the Commission and, in the case of the Ignalina NPP, as endorsed by the Member States in the framework of the Association Council. With regard to Unit 1 of the Ignalina NPP, the Lithuanian closure commitment refers to the end date being before 2005. The closure commitment of the Slovak Republic with regard to the two units of Bohunice V1 is by 2006 and 2008.

With regard to the closure of Ignalina NPP Unit 1, the Lithuanian authorities and plant operator have finalised the project pipeline of pre-decommissioning projects to be implemented over the period roughly prior to the closure date. These project proposals have been submitted to the management and contributors of the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund. One of the projects refers to the installation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Ignalina NPP that will be responsible for establishing the actual decommissioning plan. The PMU is to be installed during the summer of this year. A tender procedure is currently underway. The Ignalina NPP created a Decommissioning Unit within its management structure in April 2000.

With regard to the closure of the Kozloduy NPP Units 1-2 and of Bohunice V1, project proposals are currently being finalised by the Bulgarian and Slovak authorities, in contact with the management of the respective International Decommissioning Support Funds and the Commission.

The planned measures for the decommissioning of the above-mentioned reactors are the subject of constant scrutiny and dialogue, thus being elaborated in an iterative fashion. At this juncture, the Commission cannot provide a definitive appreciation as to whether it will be satisfied with the foreseen measures, timetables and phases. It remains open if such satisfaction will be expressed by any given cut-off date, as the Commission will monitor the elaboration and implementation of projects on a continuous basis throughout the accession process.

The inaugural meeting of the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund was held in London, at the headquarters of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as the Fund Manager, on 5 April 2001. The meeting approved the above-mentioned PMU project as well as the work-plan and budget of the Fund. Appropriations to the approved project will be granted in accordance with the provisions of the respective grant agreement. Appropriations also depend on the ratification of the Grant Framework Agreement signed between the Fund Manager and the Government of Lithuania. The equivalent meeting of the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund was held on 15 June 2001, with an analogous outcome. The date of the meeting of the fund for Bohunice has not yet been determined, but the meeting is foreseen for during this year. Appropriations to the decommissioning projects in Bulgaria and Slovakia will only be made once the respective Funds will have become operational at the forthcoming inaugural meetings of their Assemblies of Contributors.

To date, no Euratom loans have been granted for decommissioning purposes at the three nuclear power plants.

PHARE financial assistance programmes in the energy field have concentrated on support to the elaboration of national energy strategies; the establishment of the framework conditions in candidate countries for the internal energy market; and energy efficiency measures.

The Commission is monitoring the implementation of programmes to decommission the nuclear power plants as part of its usual monitoring with regard to the accession process. This is reflected in the Commission's Regular Reports that contain an evaluation of progress in the nuclear energy sector. Should any candidate country fail to honour its commitments, the Commission will devise appropriate measures. The Commission does not see any grounds to foresee such measures at present. The Commission would also like to point out that the closure commitments are dealt with in the context of the Accession Negotiations under the Energy Chapter.