WRITTEN QUESTION P-2695/99

by Ilka Schröder (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 January 2000)

Subject: Nuclear programme in Morocco

The Commission stated, in its answer to Question H-0570/99(1) on the nuclear programme in Morocco and the Spain/Morocco electricity link, that there is no connection between the Moroccan programmes and the cable link. It emphasised, however, that the quantity of energy which this link has the potential to transport is equivalent to that which could be produced by a major power station. What did the Commission mean by this reference to a major power station? Was it by any chance referring to a medium-sized nuclear power station?

In the same answer, the Commission also said that the use of nuclear energy is only acceptable provided the high safety standards laid down in international law are guaranteed. How can the Commission guarantee and monitor nuclear safety standards for the Moroccan nuclear energy industry?

The Commission has stated that the objective of the cable link is to supply Morocco with energy at competitive prices during the summer period. If this is so, what possible justification can there be for not using the trans-Morocco gas pipeline which supplies Spain with Algerian gas to cover Morocco's summer energy requirements, rather than transferring energy from Spain to Morocco?

In 1995, the Moroccan government met with the French Atomic Energy Centre (CEA), as well as with several other French bodies and enterprises, to plan the construction of a nuclear research centre in Maamora. What stage has been reached in the construction of this centre? What are its research objectives? Do its objectives include the development of civil and military nuclear energy? What EU enterprises and governments are associated with the project for this centre? To what extent does the Commission view a Moroccan programme for expanding nuclear energy as a threat to stability in the region, especially for the Western Sahara, in the present delicate pre-referendum conjuncture? What action has the Commission taken, and what action does it intend to take, in support of peaceful management and of the acceptance of the results of the referendum in the Western Sahara?

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (November 1999).

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

In its answer to Question H-570/99, put by the Honourable Member during question time in November 1999(1), concerning the capacity of the Spain/Morocco electricity

link, the Commission explained that the link could potentially transport power equivalent to the output of a major power station, to wit some 750 Megawatts (Mw). The Commission stressed that the link made the construction of a nuclear power station unlikely: by carrying electricity from Spain to Morocco it rendered the construction of a nuclear power station with an equivalent capacity uneconomic.

Nuclear power stations normally have a capacity of at least 600 Mw. The largest have a capacity of 1000 Mw or more.

A nuclear power station naturally has to offer every possible guarantee that safety requirements have been satisfied. This is the province of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). France's department of nuclear safety is quite probably sharing its know-how too. The link permits more effective use of the capacity available. Were Morocco to build a nuclear power station, it would not be for the Commission to carry out checks incumbent on other bodies.

As for the use of gas, Morocco and Algeria would appear to be negotiating the supply of gas to cover Morocco's future energy needs.

The French government would indeed appear to be involved with the Moroccan government in this project. The Maâmoura nuclear research centre is not a secret project. Construction started last August, and the centre is to be devoted exclusively to civil applications, primarily in the fields of health and food-processing. Since the project lies outside the Commission's sphere of competence, it cannot provide the Honourable Member with detailed answers.

The Commission has consistently supported UN efforts to organise a referendum on the future of the Western Sahara. It intends to pursue this policy or any other course of action decided by the UN with a view to settling the question of the Western Sahara peacefully.

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (November 1999).