Four units of a nuclear reactor similar to that of Chernobyl will be decommissioned in Bulgaria with the help of EU funds. But MEPs are divided on how the funds should be used. Obviously, there's an energy gap to be filled, but should it be powered by fos

Nuclear power struggle

Kosloduy, Bulgaria: one of the most   dangerous nuclear reactors in the world.

In 2004, to join the EU, Bulgaria   had to close 4 reactors at this site.

The model in use resembled that in   Chernobyl which exploded in 1986.

Bulgaria stuck to its word- but   decommissioning is not so simple.

The EU has set aside an extra 300 million   euros for this but not without conditions.

We must be intransigent   regarding transparency

The Commission has been dissatisfied   with the information on decommissioning

180 million euros will be given for   decommissioning up to 2013.

The remainder, 120 million euros, will be   set aside to build new power plants

using fossil fuels   and not renewable energy.

I’m against the idea of 120 million euros

being used to finance   new plants using coal or lignite.

The amount of additional funding cannot   compensate the billions of euros lost

due to the premature   closure of four units.

Nuclear power plants   in Lithuania and Slovakia

For these former Eastern Bloc countries   the EU must show its solidarity.