Bulgaria's Potential Nuclear Power Plant Belene: A Ticking Time Bomb in the Nation's Energy Transition Process
Bulgaria has announced plans to build a new nuclear power plant, the Belene project, with an expected operational date of 2035. The proposed plant, located in a zone with high seismic risk, has sparked concerns and allegations of violations of national and international laws.
Alleged Violations and Concerns
The process of construction, licensing, and selecting a strategic investor for the Belene project has reportedly violated national public procurement procedures, EU competition law, Euratom notification rules, the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, and Euratom requirements for public participation on questions regarding nuclear safety.
Moreover, the costs for interim storage and deep geological disposal for high-level radioactive waste have not been properly estimated, raising questions about the financial implications of the project.
Global Nuclear Crisis and Seismic Risk
The nuclear revival in Bulgaria occurs amidst a global crisis of nuclear power, with high costs and insignificant nuclear power capacity additions in the global market. The Belene site is situated near Vrancea, one of Europe's most active seismic zones, adding to the concerns about the project's safety.
Climate Policies and Financing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and possibly the European Commission could be involved in future financing discussions for the Belene nuclear power plant. However, concerns exist that such financing might conflict with the EU's climate policies and Belgium's sustainability goals. Nuclear energy's role in achieving climate targets is controversial within the EU, with debates on its sustainability and environmental impact.
Economic and Environmental Implications
The realization of the Belene nuclear project could have severe security and financial implications for the Bulgarian energy system, potentially risking macroeconomic stability and increasing dependence on Russian nuclear technology. A new nuclear capacity in Bulgaria would remain severely unutilized in all long-term decarbonization scenarios, leading to stranded assets and lock-in in expensive and unsustainable infrastructure.
The modelling assessments demonstrate that the NPP Belene will generate losses in the first three decades of its operations, totaling 3.5 billion euro. Furthermore, the plant poses environmental and health risks to future generations.
Bulgaria's Green Deal and Nuclear Energy
The Bulgarian government views nuclear power as a major solution for reducing emissions and a key component of the Bulgarian Green Deal. However, the Bulgarian NECP (National Energy and Climate Plan) shows nuclear energy crowding out not just coal, but also renewable energy sources, despite the government's claims of support for renewables.
The Role of Nuclear Energy in the EU
The EU low-carbon roadmap for 2050 included a political compromise allowing some countries to include nuclear in their long-term decarbonisation scenarios. However, the nuclear revival in national energy debates and the EU's technology neutrality approach could pose a challenge to the EU's Energy Union.
The World Nuclear Industry Report 2019 provides evidence for the long-term decline of nuclear power's role on the global energy market. Some Central and Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, are considering nuclear power as part of their climate mitigation strategies.
Guarantee for Nuclear Damage
The guarantee for nuclear damage in Bulgaria is the lowest one - 100 million Euro, with the rest of the costs and risks being borne by Bulgarian citizens and taxpayers.
In conclusion, the Belene nuclear project faces numerous challenges, including allegations of violations of national and international laws, financial concerns, seismic risks, and questions about its role in achieving climate targets. The project's future remains uncertain, with debates ongoing about its potential impact on Bulgaria's energy system and the EU's Energy Union.
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