European Commission
Bulgaria

Nuclear safety

The European Union has repeatedly emphasized the importance of a high level of nuclear safety in candidate countries. In the field of nuclear energy, Bulgaria operates the Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP) with two units of the VVER 440/230 design type (Units 3 and 4), and two units of the VVER 1000/320 design type (Units 5 and 6). Reactors 1 and 2 were shut down for decommissioning in December 2002 and reactors 3 and 4 were closed down for decommissioning in 2006 in line with the commitments made within the framework of the accession negotiations.

The assistance provided by the EU to the decommissioning efforts of these four units by Bulgaria has been extended and is distributed as follows: an additional €140 million to the already agreed €200 million under a special Phare Programme for the remaining years before accession, supplemented with a further €210 million to be committed in equal annual trenches of €70 million for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.

This brings the total contribution of the EU, as solidarity, up to €550 million for the period 2000-2009. The funds are largely managed by the EBRD through the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund, to which other donors also contribute. Bulgaria also participates in and benefits from Phare-funded multi-country and horizontal programmes, such as the Nuclear Safety programme.