Bulgaria May Construct NPP Kozloduy Units 7 and 8 without EU Consent
Article published from StandartNews on 2008-07-08 00:54:00Category: Politics in Kozloduy
Bulgaria may decide on constructing units 7 and 8 at Kozloduy nuclear plant without consulting the EU. The Treaty of Accession of 2005 decrees no restrictions on new power generation facilities construction, according to officials at EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs` Press Room, who spoke to money.bg.
Recently, following a sitting of the Consultative Council for National Security, which had the implementation of various energy projects on its agenda, it emerged that two US companies had shown interest in building units 7 and 8 with Bulgaria`s first nuke. However, under the provisions of articles 41-43 of the Euratom Treaty, all energy-sector investments are to be deliberated together with Brussels, EC officials explained.
The Commission`s approval is requested after a choice on what technology would be utilized, should this technology come from a non-EU country. Such is the case of Belene nuclear power plant, which is to be built by The Russian Atomstroyexport. There are no provisions under the Accession Treaty that forbid the setting up of new power production facilities and the decommissioning of units 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Kozloduy could not be influenced in any way by any new projects.
"For now the government will retain Belene nuke as its number one priority. The construction of two new units at Kozloduy is just an idea," officials from the Bulgarian Economy and Energy Ministry commented for The Standart.
Recently, following a sitting of the Consultative Council for National Security, which had the implementation of various energy projects on its agenda, it emerged that two US companies had shown interest in building units 7 and 8 with Bulgaria`s first nuke. However, under the provisions of articles 41-43 of the Euratom Treaty, all energy-sector investments are to be deliberated together with Brussels, EC officials explained.
The Commission`s approval is requested after a choice on what technology would be utilized, should this technology come from a non-EU country. Such is the case of Belene nuclear power plant, which is to be built by The Russian Atomstroyexport. There are no provisions under the Accession Treaty that forbid the setting up of new power production facilities and the decommissioning of units 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Kozloduy could not be influenced in any way by any new projects.
"For now the government will retain Belene nuke as its number one priority. The construction of two new units at Kozloduy is just an idea," officials from the Bulgarian Economy and Energy Ministry commented for The Standart.
