News from Bulgaria

On 13 April, during the Plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approved the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU in 2007. After a heated debate, the Parliament voted 522-70 in favour of MEP Geoffrey van Orden's report on Bulgaria's application for membership of the EU (69 abstentions), and 497-93 in favour of MEP Pierre Moscovici's report on Romania's application (71 abstentions).

One notable success for the nuclear industry was the adoption of Article 33 of the van Orden report, in which the Parliament congratulates Bulgaria on the steps it has taken to ensure a high level of safety at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. The Council's Atomic Questions Group has also published a very favourable report on nuclear safety levels in Bulgaria and acknowledges the contribution that Bulgaria makes to maintaining energy supplies and achieving Kyoto Protocol targets in the region. Bulgaria covers 60% of the power deficit in south east Europe and is the main electricity exporter to the area, having exported around 5.8 billion Kwh in 2004. According to Bulgaria's main power exporter, NETC, exports in 2005 are expected to reach close to 7 billion Kwh. At the end of April, a referendum was held on proposed plans to build a 2000 megawatts nuclear power plant by 2011.

At the same time, the Parliament expressed its concern that once units 3 and 4 at Kozloduy shut down, at the end of 2006, a considerable decrease in the region's generating capacity is likely to occur by 2010-2012. This could lead to crippling power blackouts across the region. The Parliament urged Council to view the agreed plant closure programme more flexibly until new generation capacity comes on stream in Bulgaria.