WRITTEN QUESTION E-2059/99

by Karin Scheele (PSE) to the Commission

(12 November 1999)

Subject: Decommissioning of Bohunice nuclear power station

In a decision dating from 1994 the Slovakian Government announced the closure of both V-1 reactors at the Bohunice nuclear power station in 2000. This decision was also incorporated into Agenda 2000. At the end of September it rescinded this decision and submitted a new timetable postponing the closure until 2008. Commissioner Günther Verheugen welcomed this decision.

In the opinion on Slovakia's application to join the EU, the Commission maintains that after a modernisation phase for improvement of the safety level (until 1999) the A1 prototype reactor will be finally decommissioned. As part of the accession partnership the Slovakian Republic is committed to implementing a realistic programme for decommissioning the Bohunice nuclear power station. The Commission's November 1998 report on Slovakia's progress towards accession already singled out for criticism the fact that operating the reactor on a longer-term basis after 1999 is compatible neither with the accession partnership nor with the Slovakian Government's decision of 1994.

Can the Commission therefore answer the following questions:

1. What view does it take of the Slovakian Government's most recent plans concerning the timescale for its entry into the European Union?

2. Will it in future pay particular attention to implementation of the timetable specified in the accession partnership and, where necessary, take appropriate action?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1999)

According to the definitions of the 1992 Group of seven most industrialised countries meeting in Munich, there are at Bohunice two VVER 440/230 reactors (units 1 and 2 at Bohunice V1) which are not upgradable at reasonable cost, and two reactors VVER 440/213 (units 3 and 4 at Bohunice V2), which are upgradable. The old Bohunice A1 reactor was stopped in 1977 and is currently under decommissioning.

The original design lifetime for units 1 and 2 at Bohunice V1 are 2008 and 2010 respectively. During the past years the Slovak government has been investing an important amount of money (about 200 million) to increase the security standards of Bohunice V1 (units 1 and 2), with a view to licensing them to operate, respectively, until 2010-2012 or even beyond. Despite these investments, the decision has been taken to bring forward the closure of Bohunice V1 to 2006 for unit 1 and 2008 for unit 2.

The Commission considers these dates realistic and credible. It will make every effort to ensure that these closing dates will be respected.

The 1999 accession partnership clearly indicates that the preparation for the closing down and decommissioning of Bohunice V1 is a key priority. The Commission will follow the developments regarding Bohunice V1 with particular attention. The Commission is ready to support and closely co-operate with the Slovak authorities to reach the objective of early shut down and decommissioning of the Bohunice V1 reactors, particularly through the provision of financial support and expertise. Progress will be regularly assessed in the context of both the pre-accession instruments and the accession process.