REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL On the use of financial resources during 2004-2009 provided to Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria to suppoer the decommissioning of early shut-down nuclear power-plants under the Acts of Accession
Date: 2011-07-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovakia, accession to the European Union, decommissioning of power stations, private-sector liquidity

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 13.7.2011 
COM(2011) 432 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

On the use of financial resources during 2004-2009 provided to Lithuania, Slovakia and 
Bulgaria to suppoer the decommissioning of early shut-down nuclear power-plants 
under the Acts of Accession 

{SEC(2011) 914 final} 

 
 
 
 
  
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

3. 

3.1. 

3.2. 

3.3. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3 

Purpose and legal basis ................................................................................................ 3 

Scope and Scheduling .................................................................................................. 4 

Amounts ....................................................................................................................... 4 

Programme administration ........................................................................................... 5 

Implementing channels ................................................................................................ 5 

Procedural Framework and Programme Evaluation .................................................... 5 

Country reports............................................................................................................. 6 

Lithuania – Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant ................................................................... 7 

Slovakia– Bohunice V1 Nuclear Power Plant ............................................................. 9 

Bulgaria – Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant ................................................................ 10 

Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 12 

Performance ............................................................................................................... 13 

Outlook....................................................................................................................... 13 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The report assesses the implementation status of the European Union financial assistance for 
the decommissioning of the early shut-down nuclear power plants in Lithuania, Slovakia and 
Bulgaria.  It  covers,  in  particular  the  implementation  of  the  decommissioning  programme 
during  the  period  2004  –  2009  although  it  also  considers  the  financial  assistance  from  the 
preceding  period  and  recent  progress  made  in  2010  in  order  to  provide  a  consistent  and 
comprehensive  picture.  The  Communication  is  complemented  by  Commission  Staff  Working 
Paper SEC(2011)914 providing more detailed information. 

1.1. 

Purpose and legal basis 

Decommissioning  of  a  nuclear  installation  can  extend  over  a  period  of  up  to  30  years.  It 
covers  the  activities  from  shutdown  and  removal  of  fissile  material  to  the  environmental 
restoration  of  the  site.  To  ensure  the  safe  decommissioning  of  nuclear  installations  and  the 
management of waste, it is vital that the necessary financial resources should be available at 
the time of decommissioning. 

At the time of the accession negotiations to the European Union (EU) the three EU candidate 
countries, Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria, operated Soviet design nuclear reactors. 

The international community, in line with the G7 multilateral programme of action adopted at 
the  Munich  G71  summit  in  1992,  concluded  that  these  reactors  could  not  be  economically 
upgraded to the required western safety standards, and that these plants should be shutdown 
before  their  foreseen  end-of-life.  This  recommendation  established  the  early-closure  dates 
which were detailed in the accession treaties of the three countries. The early shut-down and 
subsequent  decommissioning  of  these  nuclear  power  plants  (NPP)  was  recognised  as  a 
significant  financial  and  economical  burden  for  the  Member  States,  and  did  not  allow  the 
operators  sufficient  time  to  accumulate  the  necessary  funds  to  cover  the  full  costs  of 
decommissioning.  For  this  reason  the  individual  Acts  of  Accession2,3,4  as  well  as  the 
subsequent  Council  Regulations5,6,7  foresaw  financial  assistance  to  the  respective  new 
Member States. 

The EU assistance programme is dedicated to the following NPPs: 

Ignalina NPP (INPP) units 1 and 2 in Lithuania, 

Bohunice V1 NPP (V1 NPP) units 1 and 2 in Slovakia and 

Kozloduy NPP (KNPP) units 1 to 4 in Bulgaria 

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 

France,  Germany,  Italy,  Japan,  the  United  Kingdom,  the  United  States,  Canada,  the  European 
Commission 
OJ L236, 23.9.2003, p. 33 and p. 944 
OJ L236, 23.9.2003, p. 33 and p. 954 
OJ L157, 21.6.2005, p.11 and p.38 
OJ L 411, 30.12.2006, p.10 
OJ L 131, 23.5.2007, p.1 
OJ L 189, 22.7.2010, p.9 

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1.2. 

Scope and Scheduling 

The  EU  financial  assistance  is  designed  to  support  the  effort  of  the  Member  States  in  the 
decommissioning  of  their  Soviet-type  NPPs  and  the  related  social  consequences  as  well  as 
measures in the energy sector to mitigate the loss of electrical generating capacity. 

The EU assistance has been implemented in three specific periods. In the pre-accession period 
(up  to  2004)  Lithuania  and  Slovakia  received  assistance  through  the  PHARE8  programme, 
while  between  2004-2006  assistance  was  provided  under  the  Protocols  to  the  Act  of 
Accession  and  since  2007,  Council  Regulations  for  Lithuania  and  Slovakia  ensured  a 
continuation of assistance for the period 2007-2013. 

In  the  pre-accession  period  (up  to  2007)  Bulgaria  received  assistance  through  the  PHARE 
programme. Further assistance for the period 2007-2009 was then provided under the Protocol 
to the Treaty of Accession based upon the then "deferred" decommissioning strategy. In 2009 
a formal request for a prolongation of the funding assistance was received in order to proceed 
with  a  revised  "immediate"  decommissioning  strategy  and  a  new  Council  Regulation  was 
adopted in 2010 to ensure the continuation of the assistance until 2013. 

1.3. 

Amounts 

The  assistance  provided  recognises  the  extraordinary  burden  placed  on  the  new  Member 
States  arising  from  their  early  shut-down  commitment.  The  assistance  does  neither  aim  to 
cover the full cost of decommissioning nor to compensate for all economical consequences, 
but rather represents an expression of solidarity between the EU and the Member States. The 
amounts  committed  to  individual  Member  States  represent  the  outcome  of  political 
negotiations, taking into account diverse social and economic aspects, and the different types 
and number of nuclear units to be dismantled. 

Overview table of the financial assistance to the Member States from 1999 to 2013 (€ million) 
as anchored in the basic legal acts*: 

1999-2003 

2004-2006 

2007-2013 

Lithuania 

Slovakia 

Bulgaria 

Subtotal 

210 

90 

155 

455 

285 

90 

185 

560 

837 

423 

510 

1770 

Total 

1332 

603 

850 

2785 

*Actual yearly commitments are adjusted for inflation. 

By the end of 2009 the actual committed amounts to the three countries were: €875,5 million 
for Lithuania, €363,7 million for Slovakia and €567,8 million for Bulgaria. 

8 

Programme of aid to central and east European countries 

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2. 

PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION 

The General Directorate for Energy (former DG Transport and Energy) has implemented the 
EU  financial  assistance  programme  for  Lithuania  and  Slovakia  since  2004  and  for  Bulgaria 
since 2007. 

2.1. 

Implementing channels 

The  legal  bases  for  Lithuania  and  Slovakia  offers  the  possibility  of  two  alternative 
implementing  channels  for  the  EU  assistance:  A  first  via  the  European  Bank  for 
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with contributions to the respective International 
Decommissioning  Support  Funds  (IDSF)  and  a  second  via  a  national  channel  for  a  direct 
support  through  a  National  Agency  –  in  line  with  Council  Regulation  1605/2002  on  the 
Financial Regulation applicable to the budget of the European Communities9. 

For Bulgaria the legal basis only foresees the implementation of EU assistance via the EBRD, 
given the absence of an appropriate national implementation structure.  

International Decommissioning Support Funds 

The IDSFs were established in 2000 and are managed by the EBRD. Those funds are multi-
donor in nature, of which the EC is the largest, and since 2004, the only contributor. 

For each of the three Member States a dedicated fund is established: for Lithuania the Ignalina 
IDSF (IIDSF), for Slovakia the Bohunice IDSF (BIDSF) and for Bulgaria the Kozloduy IDSF 
(KIDSF). 

National Agency 

Only  Lithuania  has  chosen  to  implement  measures through a national agency in accordance 
with Articles 53(a) and 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation. 

During  the  period  of  2004-2006,  the  direct  assistance  to  Lithuania  was  provided  via  the 
Programmed Instrument mechanism under the extended decentralised implementation system. 

Since  2007  Lithuania  is  implementing  this  direct  national  support  through  the  Central 
Project  Management  Agency  (CPMA)  as  the  appointed10  National  Agency  under 
"centralized indirect management". 

2.2. 

Procedural Framework and Programme Evaluation 

Up  until  the  end  of  2006,  there  was  only  limited  involvement  and  leadership  from  the 
individual Member States in the definition of the needs and the use of the EU assistance. In 
addition  as  regards  Lithuania  there  was  only  limited  coordination  between  the  dual 
implementation channels of the EBRD and the CPMA. 

To  address  these  perceived  weaknesses  a  revised  procedural  framework  was  established 
from 2007. 

9 
10 

OJ L 248, 16.09.2002, p.1  
Letter dated 4 June 2007 from the EC to Lithuania: Nomination of the National Agency for the Ignalina 
Programme 

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The  mechanism  for  implementing  the  financial  assistance  under  the  2007-2013  financial 
perspective is laid down in the Commission Decision on the Procedures11. In accordance with 
the  underlying  legal  basis,  the  European  Commission  (EC)  established  a  Management 
Committee: the Nuclear Decommissioning Assistance Programme Committee, whose role it 
is to assist the EC in implementing the EU assistance. Since 2007 the procedural framework 
has  been  gradually  improved  with  a  revised  Commission  Decision  on  the  Procedures 
established in 2010. 

The  EC  commits  funds  to  the  three  programmes  by  the  adoption  of  annual  Commission 
Decisions  on  Financing.  Annexed  to  this  financing  decision  are  three  respective  annual 
Combined  Programming  Documents  prepared  by  the  concerned  Member  States.  This 
document defines the objectives for the use of the EU assistance. The EC disburses funds to 
the EBRD and CPMA upon request based upon proven progress in project implementation. 

The  implementation  of  measures  and  financial  assistance  is  followed  by  a  monitoring 
committee  established  for  each  country  and  implementation  channel.  Although  projects  can 
be  financed  up  to  100%,  some  specific  co-funding  ceilings  have  been  established  for  key-
projects  (e.g.  the  CCGT  project  in  Lithuania  where  the  IIDSF  finances  up  to  70%  up  to 
ceiling of €165 million – all cost overruns are thus borne by Lithuania). 

The assistance programme has been subject to regular audits and evaluations which were in 
general positive and acknowledged the progress achieved. Improvement measures have been 
taken into account in redefining the procedural framework in 2007 and again in 2010. 

3. 

COUNTRY REPORTS 

Nuclear  decommissioning  can  be  considered  in  two  phases.  A  first  pre-decommissioning 
phase where preparatory works are executed, followed by a secondary decommissioning and 
dismantling phase. 

During  the  first  phase  the  decommissioning  documentation  is  elaborated,  providing  the 
technical  and  financial  information  on  the  reasonable  decommissioning  alternatives.  It 
assesses  whether  the  future  decommissioning  process  is  technically  feasible  and  in 
compliance  with  provisions  of  the  Euratom  Treaty  and  national  law  in  the  fields  of  nuclear 
safety and health, physical and environmental protection. 

The early shutdown of the respective NPPs clearly had a negative impact on the security of 
electricity  supply  in  the  three  Member  States.  To  address  this,  the  individual  Acts  of 
Accession  covered  measures  to  mitigate  impacts  in  the  energy  sector  in  line  with  the  EU 
energy policy.  

The  scope  and nature of the projects  realised to address this issue were defined considering 
the national policies, the state of the existing facilities and the energy sector needs.  

11 

Commission  Decision  on  the  procedures  related  to  the  programming  and  monitoring  of  the  measures 
and financial assistance under the Bohunice and Ignalina programmes for the period 2007 to 2013 and 
under Kozloduy programme for the period 2007-2009 – C(2007)5538 

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It is the Member States who propose how the available funds should be distributed between 
the  three  eligible–domains  of  Decommissioning,  Energy  and  Social  consequences,  as  a 
function of their overall needs and strategy. 

The assistance was never intended to cover the full cost of decommissioning or to compensate 
for all economical consequences. For these reasons the legal base allows for certain flexibility 
in the use of the funds.  

The construction of interim spent fuel storage facilities, national waste repositories and some 
radioactive  waste  (RAW)  management  projects  are  not  part  of  the  decommissioning. 
However, in certain justified cases such projects have been supported where failure to do so 
would have seriously compromised the decommissioning and dismantling process.  

In such cases this support can be considered as an 'upfront' support to the Member States that 
should be taken into consideration in discussions on potential extensions of EU assistance. 

3.1. 

Lithuania – Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant 

3.1.1.  Closure commitment and evolution of funding 

Prior  to  accession  Lithuania  operated  two  RBMK  1500  reactors.  The  units  are  currently 
owned by INPP, a state owned enterprise which since 2009 has been under the responsibility 
of the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy. INPP is today responsible for the safe maintenance and 
decommissioning of the two reactor units. 

Unit  1  was  permanently  shut  down  on  31  December  2004,  and  unit  2  on  31  December 
2009. 

The  total  EU  assistance  to  Lithuania  between  1999  and  2013  is  foreseen  to  be  €136712 
million.  

3.1.2.  Decommissioning and Waste window 

Safe maintenance of the two INPP units, preparation for decommissioning (including strategic 
documentation) and the construction of waste treatment and storage facilities were identified 
targets  for  EU  assistance.  In  2009  the  new  government  significantly  increased  its  level  of 
involvement in, and ownership of the decommissioning process.  

A selection of the key projects that were funded by the EU: 

(Pre) Decommissioning 

Safe maintenance of unit 1 and 2; 

Support to the nuclear regulatory authority; 

Preparation of a decommissioning database and planning tool; 

Detailed decommissioning plans for specific building; 

Provision of consultant support to INPP; 

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Real commitments until the end of 2009 + forecast 2010-2013 

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Radiological characterisation; 

Primary circuit decontamination; 

Waste management 

Interim spent fuel store (B1) 

Solid waste management and storage facility (B234)  

Free release measurement facility 

3.1.3.  Energy window 

The Ignalina programme supported key energy sector projects identified in the Lithuanian 
National Energy Strategy: 

Environmental upgrade of Lithuanian thermal power plant; 

Construction  of  a  combined  cycle  gas  turbine,  a  compensatory  shunt  reactor  and  a  heat 

only boiler station; 

Replacement of gas-fired boilers and upgrade of district heating systems of Visaginas; 

Energy efficiency upgrading of multi-apartment residential and public buildings; 

Support to the feasibility study for an electricity  interconnection between the Poland  and 

Lithuania. 

3.1.4.  Performance 

Out  of  the  total  amount  (€  954,70  million)  of  the  funds  available  for  IIDSF  (€  723,10 
million) and CPMA (€ 231,60 million) the amount allocated to defined projects is of € 881,60 
million. The amount disbursed from EU is € 763,30 million  (to IIDSF € 592,60 million; to 
CPMA € 170,70 million). 13  

The  programme  evolved  within  a  difficult  political  climate.  Up  to  2009  Lithuania 
campaigned strongly to postpone the closure of unit 2 until 2012. The lack of commitment to 
close  impacted  negatively  on  the  progress  towards  decommissioning.  Despite  these 
difficulties,  both  units  were  finally  shut  down  on  schedule  as  prescribed  in  the  accession 
treaty. Today they are safely maintained, and are in a decommissioning phase. As of today the 
reactor core of unit 1 has been completely defueled. No electricity shortages or black-out were 
experienced  following  the  closures.  Considering  this  difficult  background,  the  performance 
towards decommissioning can be considered as satisfactory. 

The  change  from  an  electricity  producer  to  a  decommissioning  organisation  required 
significant  changes  in  the  organisational  structure,  and  human  resources  changes  at  INPP. 
Such  a  change,  including  the  shift  in  mentality  is  not  achieved  overnight,  and  requires 
considerable efforts.  

This  necessary  "change  management"  process,  which  was  strongly  recommended  by  the 
EC,  is  today  "championed"  by  the  new  Lithuanian  government  (following  the  elections  in 
2008), with Lithuania and INPP accepting full ownership of the decommissioning process. 

Serious  delays  and  overspend  have  been  experienced,  with  respect  to  planning  and  cost 
estimates, in two key infrastructure investment projects; Project B1, the spent fuel storage and 

13 

Disbursement - chapter 3.3.1. and 3.3.2 

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management project, and Project B234, the waste treatment and storage project. Both projects 
are currently in their construction phases. 

Approximately  30%  of  the  EU  assistance  has  been  allocated  to  projects  in  the  energy 

sector. 

Although delays have been experienced in some of the decommissioning projects and have 
given rise to additional costs, these delays have not as yet had a direct impact on the critical 
path of the decommissioning. However, the project "slack" has been exhausted and significant 
efforts will be required in order to avoid major delays and additional cost increases.  

3.2. 

Slovakia– Bohunice V1 Nuclear Power Plant  

3.2.1.  Closure commitment and evolution of funding 

The  V1  NPP  comprises  two  VVER  440/230  reactors.  The  organisation  responsible  for  the 
post-shut down supervision and for the decommissioning of V1 NPP is the state owned (via 
Ministry of Economy) company "Jadrová a vyraďovacia spoločnosť a.s." (JAVYS). 

Unit  1  was  permanently  shut-down  on  31  December  2006  and  unit  2  on  31  December 
2008.  

The total EU assistance to Slovakia between 1999 and 2013 is foreseen to be €61314 million.  

3.2.2.  Decommissioning and Waste window 

Preparatory  works  for  decommissioning  were  performed  and  the  strategic  decommissioning 
documentation has been elaborated. 

A selection of the key projects that were funded by the EU: 

(Pre) Decommissioning 

Preparation of the V1 NPP Decommissioning 1st stage plan and documentation; 

Reconstruction of an auxiliary boiler station and heating and steam distribution system; 

Reconstruction  of  area  protection  system  and  modification  of  JAVYS  power  supply 

scheme after V1 NPP final shut down; 

Implementation of the decommissioning programme using the human resources available 

at the Bohunice V1 NPP; 

Consultancy support to JAVYS; 

Waste management 

Development of a RAW interim storage at Bohunice 

Procurement of spent fuel storage casks  

Treatment of historical waste – sludges and sorbents 

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Real commitments until the end of 2009 + forecast 2010-2013 

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3.2.3.  Energy window 

The Bohunice programme has supported measures to mitigate some of the negative impacts 
on  the  Slovak  energy  sector  in  line  with  the  “Strategy  of  Energy  Security  of  the  Slovak 
Republic by 2030”. 

A selection of the key projects that were funded by the EU: 

Reconstruction of Križovany 400kV substation; 

Modification in the transmission sector due to the final shut down of V1 NPP; 

Energy efficiency in public buildings and sustainable energy financial facility; 

According to data presented by the EBRD, the implemented actions in the energy window led 
to an equivalent compensation of almost 20  MWe of the lost electricity  generation capacity 
following the closure of V1 NPP. 

3.2.4.  Performance 

Of  the  total  funds  available  within  the  BIDSF  (€  385,807  million)  the  amount  allocated  to 
defined projects is € 364,07 million. The amount disbursed from EU to the BIDSF is € 157,80 
million. 

Since the beginning of the programme several issues such as: the reorganisation of JAVYS, 
communication  difficulties  between  the  involved  parties;  the  gas  crisis  in  early  2009  have 
contributed to the complexity of the programme implementation and delays in some projects. 

Despite  these  difficulties,  both  units  were  shut  down  on  schedule,  and  have  been  safely 
maintained.  They  are  now in  the  decommissioning phase. No electricity shortages or black-
outs  were  experienced  following  the  closure.  As  such  the  overall  performance  can  be 
considered satisfactory. 

Delays  experienced  in  some  projects  might  have  a  negative  impact  on  issuance  of 
decommissioning license (scheduled for mid 2011). The EC continues to monitor closely the 
progress towards the achievement of this key milestone. 

As  of  31  December  2009,  the  distribution  of  the  funds  allocated  to  "Decommissioning  and 
Waste"  and  "Energy"  windows 
to 
"Decommissioning and Waste" projects in the period up to 2013. 

is  acceptable,  with  a  priority  being  given 

3.3. 

Bulgaria – Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant 

3.3.1.  Closure commitment and evolution of funding 

KNPP  units  1-4  are  reactors  of  the  VVER  440/230  design.  The  owner  and  organisation 
responsible  for  the  decommissioning  of  the  KNPP  units  1-2  is  the  State  Enterprise  for 
Radioactive Waste (SERAW) since both these units have been entirely defueled. For the units 
3-4  the  owner  and  responsible  for  the  decommissioning  is  the  state  owned  company 
Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania EAD. 

Units 1 and 2 were shut down on 31 December 2002 and units 3 and 4 were shut down 
on 31 December 2006. 

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The  total  EU  assistance  to  Bulgaria  between  1999  and  2013  is  foreseen  to  be  €867,7815 
million. 

3.3.2.  Decommissioning and Waste window 

for  decommissioning  have  been  performed  and 

the  strategic 
Preparatory  works 
decommissioning  documentation  has  been elaborated.  Units  1  and  2  were  entirely  defueled. 
The reactor cores of units 3 and 4 are defueled; however some fuel still remains in the reactor 
fuel ponds. 

In 2008, Units 1 and 2 were separated from units 3 and 4 and the ownership of units 1 and 2 
transferred  to  SERAW.  This  action  was  performed  with  the  objective  of  accelerating  the 
decommissioning of units 1 and 2.  

A selection of the key projects funded by the EU: 

(Pre) Decommissioning 

Updated Decommissioning Strategy; 

Support  for  the  Implementation  of  the  Decommissioning  using  the  Human  Resources 

available at units 1-4 of the KNPP; 

Start of dismantling of non safety relevant systems and facilities;  

Construction of a heat generating plant; 

Waste management 

Design of a National Disposal Facility; 

Design of a very low level waste repository; 

Decay storage site for transitional RAW and conventional waste; 

Development of on-site waste treatment facilities; 

Construction of a dry spent fuel storage facility including casks for VVER 440 spent fuel 

elements. 

3.3.3.  Energy window 

The Kozloduy programme has supported measures to mitigate the consequences in the energy 
sector in line with the Energy Strategy of Bulgaria. 

The following are a selection of the key projects that were funded by the EU: 

Implementation  and  Management  of  the  Rehabilitation  of  the  Sofia  District  Heating 

Network; 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Credit Line Framework Facility; 

MARITSA EAST-2 - Installation of Gypsum Dewatering System and Rehabilitation of the 

Cooling Pump Station; 

Refurbishment and Extension of the National Electricity Distribution System; 

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Real commitments until the end of 2009 + forecast 2010-2013 

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Construction of high pressure gas pipelines and gas regulation stations; 

According to data from the EBRD, the implementation of the actions in the energy window 
led  to  the  equivalent  compensation  of  almost  500  MWe  of  electrical  generating  capacity 
following the closure of units 1-4. 

3.3.4.  Performance 

Of  the  total  funds  available  within  the  KIDSF  (€606,744  million)  the  amount  allocated  to 
defined  projects  is  €  540,875  million.  The  amount  disbursed  from  EU  to  the  KIDSF  is  € 
363,149 million. 

The  decommissioning  programme  has  progressed  in  a  particularly  unfavourable  political 
context. In 2006 attempts were made to postpone the closures, and again, after 2006 to reopen 
the  shutdown  reactors.  Despite  these  difficulties  the  overall  performance  of  the  programme 
can be considered satisfactory given that all units have been shut down as prescribed in the 
Accession treaty. 

Units  1&2  are  entirely  defueled,  the  dry  spent  fuel  storage  is  close  to  completion  and  first 
dismantling  works  have  started.  Waste 
treatment  and  storage  facilities  are  under 
implementation. No electricity black-out occurred following the closure of the reactor units. 
The commitment of the current Bulgarian  government, together with  the separation of  units 
1&2  from  3&4  will  support  and  impact  positively  on  the  timely  progression  of  the 
decommissioning programme. 

A major benefit realised in relation to the EU assistance is the change in the decommissioning 
strategy  from  one  of  "deferred  dismantling"  to  "immediate  –  continuous  dismantling".  This 
reduces the overall time for decommissioning and makes best use of available staff to execute 
dismantling works. This will have a positive impact on the overall costs for decommissioning. 

A  substantial  proportion  of  the  funds  have  been  allocated  to  energy  projects  to  address 
consequences of the early-closure. 

4. 

CONCLUSION 

All designated nuclear units in Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria have been safely shut 
down  in  line  with  their  accession  agreements.  Decommissioning  works  are  currently 
ongoing.  This  situation  has  been  achieved  as  a  direct  consequence  of  the  successful 
implementation of the EU assistance programme. 

The EU assistance has been ongoing since before accession and the shut-down of the NPPs 
concerned.  During  this  time  the  EU  assistance  Programmes  have  faced  a  variety  of 
difficulties,  at  both  the  political  and  technical  level.  Considerable  efforts  were  taken  by 
Member  States  to  renegotiate  their  political  commitments,  however  through  the  EU`s 
expression  of  solidarity  and  the  provision  of  appropriate  financial  assistance  all  countries 
respected their Accession Treaty commitments to shut down their reactor units.  

The  boundary  conditions  for  each  country  are  unique  and  impact  upon  the  choice  of 
technology,  strategy  and  reasoning  associated  with  the  selection  of  projects.  Therefore  it  is 
difficult to present a direct comparison of the effectiveness of the EU assistance provided to 
each Member State. An assessment of the needs and capabilities was undertaken prior to the 

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instigation  of  projects  at  each  NPP.  Identification  and  implementation  of  projects  also 
benefited from a regular re-evaluation of the national strategies and decommissioning plans. 

4.1. 

Performance 

The scale of the problem encountered by each country was a function of the different reactor 
types  to  be  decommissioned,  the  state  of  the  existing  infrastructure  required  to  support  the 
decommissioning  and  waste  management  challenges,  the  possibilities  to  replace  the  lost 
electrical  generating  capacity,  the  regulatory  and  political  environment  and  the  choice  of 
decommissioning strategy. 

Despite  initial  difficulties,  the  reactors  were  shut-down  on  schedule  and  the  majority  have 
been defueled as a first important step towards irreversible closure and decommissioning of 
the NPPs. 

In each Member State the finances available for projects exceed the disbursements. The funds 
have been made available on an annual basis since 1999 at a time when Member States were 
not yet able to make full use of them. As a consequence, some funds have accumulated. More 
recently these funds have been utilised more effectively and efficiently and they will be fully 
absorbed within the next two years.  

Significant progress has been demonstrated for the three programmes over the past years and 
up  to  the  end  of  the  reporting  period  with  the  majority  of  the  decommissioning  and  energy 
sector-related  projects  having  been  identified  or  prepared  and  with  a  significant  proportion 
already under implementation. 

In  all  countries  the  majority  of  funding  was  directed  towards  decommissioning  and  RAW 
management related projects. Lithuania and Bulgaria used a significant portion for spent fuel 
storage  and  waste  management.  Currently,  the  facilities  necessary  for  decommissioning, 
treatment  and  storage  of  RAW  and  spent  nuclear  fuel  are  under  construction,  the  licensing 
documentation is elaborated and first preparatory dismantling works have started. 

The energy sector has benefited where projects were in line with the EU and national energy 
policies.  EU  assistance  was  advanced  from  an  early  stage  to  the  energy  sector  in  order  to 
address  the  loss  of  electricity  generating  capacity.  This  approach  proved  to  be  particularly 
beneficial and effective in the case of Bulgaria, in mitigating the effects of the recent energy 
and financial  crises. Although  delays occurred in some decommissioning  projects,  these are 
actively addressed to minimise their impact on the critical path of the decommissioning.  

The countries' legal framework and management structures continue to be adapted taking into 
account the changes from electricity producing companies to decommissioning organisations.  

4.2. 

Outlook 

Measures in the decommissioning and energy windows will continue up until the end of the 
financing perspective as guided by the strategies identified. Decommissioning related projects 
will be prioritised above energy related projects where funds are limited. 

The  use  of  the  EU  assistance  within  the  decommissioning  window  will  be  focusing  on  the 
completion  of  the  necessary  infrastructure,  RAW  treatment,  the  realisation  of  the  necessary 
decommissioning  licenses  and  on  dismantling.  New  decommissioning  organisation  and 

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management structures will be instigated and reinforced to address the dismantling activities, 
while the execution of the dismantling works by plant staff continues.  

Energy sector projects are well advanced. Actions in this area are currently considered to be 
sufficient. Although the final financial commitment will be made in 2013, the implementation 
of the works from these commitments will extend beyond this date.  

The  aim  of  the  EU  assistance  has  always  been  and  remains  to  provide  assistance  to  the 
Member States rather than the full financing of the decommissioning or the full compensation 
of  closure  consequences.  The  assistance  provided  shall  be  complemented  by  adequate 
national resources. 

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