Closure of Bulgaria's nuclear units troubles Balkan countries
A number of Balkan countries were concerned about the consequences of the closure of two units of Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP).
Bulgaria has to shut down two reactors on December 31 to meet European nuclear safety requirements.
Countries among which Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro relied on electricity export from Bulgaria to meet their energy needs, report of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) shows.
European Parliament members from Hungary and Romania also said that the closure of the NPP units was worrying. They called for a temporary delay in the closure.
A delay is unlikely to occur. Kozloduy will have the same fate as other old NPPs in Southeastern Europe, the report said. All such power plants were shut down, once the countries from the region became EU members.
Some Balkan countries expect energy crisis and electricity prices are to increase. Since energy consumption has gone up, only Bulgaria, Bosnia and Romania maintain their energy independence.
All other Balkan countries rely mainly on electricity import. The closure of Kozloduy units would decrease by 40 per cent the amount of electricity needed to cover the energy shortage in Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, the report said.
Bulgaria has to shut down two reactors on December 31 to meet European nuclear safety requirements.
Countries among which Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro relied on electricity export from Bulgaria to meet their energy needs, report of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) shows.
European Parliament members from Hungary and Romania also said that the closure of the NPP units was worrying. They called for a temporary delay in the closure.
A delay is unlikely to occur. Kozloduy will have the same fate as other old NPPs in Southeastern Europe, the report said. All such power plants were shut down, once the countries from the region became EU members.
Some Balkan countries expect energy crisis and electricity prices are to increase. Since energy consumption has gone up, only Bulgaria, Bosnia and Romania maintain their energy independence.
All other Balkan countries rely mainly on electricity import. The closure of Kozloduy units would decrease by 40 per cent the amount of electricity needed to cover the energy shortage in Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, the report said.