Summary result

Summary result of the stakeholders consultation during the DFG meeting on 16/03/2011 on the impact assessment concerning possible financing of decommissioning under the new financial perspectives and the ongoing impact assessment, including presentations by BG and LT

The presentation made by the Commission outlined in an informal and non binding way the context and the ongoing process of impact assessment and public consultation on the need for possible continued decommissioning assistance to BG, LT and SK under the next financial perspectives 2014-2020.

In general, all experts recognise the need for continued financing of these nuclear units that were shut down early in line with the Accession treaties. All were of the opinion that there needs to be a solid and complete detailed decommissioning plan behind, including full costing up to the full decommissioning final stage. A clear indication of the national co financing and the way to secure this national funding in the long term has to be provided. Key milestones were explicitly supported, as well as the linking of payments to the accomplishment of concrete milestones, with the highest EU added value. Compliance procedures and close cost monitoring should be considered from the outset.

Some were strongly in favour of continuing with full support towards decommissioning and also energy sector measures (the latter in a regressive way as off 2014).

Most experts were of the opinion to address only decommissioning needs and to refer energy sector needs to more appropriate financing channels such as the structural funds. Concerns on the financing possibilities call for the building of a solid case with convincing arguments in order to assure continuation of the nuclear decommissioning in a safe manner in these 3 countries.

More information

• The Accession Treaties for Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria foresee EU financial assistance for the early closure and decommissioning of legacy first generation Soviet design nuclear reactors. According to the Protocols to these Accession Treaties, the 3 countries committed themselves to definitively close the concerned units and to subsequently decommission all these units. The European Union expressed its willingness to support their efforts to alleviate the consequences of early closure of these outdated units. Therefore the Protocols concerning the conditions and arrangements for Accession to the European Union have foreseen some financial EU assistance. This was complemented by funding under Council Regulations 1990/2006, 549/2007 and 647/2010 up to 2013.
• Decommissioning of nuclear power plantsis a long term process (20-30 years).
• The Commission is now assessing the need for continuing the financial assistance for decommissioning for the 3 concerned Member States for the period 2014-2020 and its EU added value. The extension of support would be targeted to address decommissioning activities until the end of 2020. This would ensure a seamless continuation of decommissioning while ensuring the highest level of nuclear safety for all European citizens.