en |    Press releasesBrussels 08.12.2007

Nuclear energy: Commission approval for Bulgarian nuclear plant like Russian roulette

Green MEPs have condemned the European Commission's favourable opinion on the proposal to build a new nuclear power plant at Belene in Bulgaria by Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania (NEK). Commenting on the decision, Green energy spokesperson Rebecca Harms said:

"We are deeply concerned by the Commission's decision to approve the building of two nuclear units in a well-documented seismic zone in Bulgaria, which sets a dangerous precedent. On top of being located in a seismic zone, the Belene project is economically unviable, will distort the internal electricity market and the whole process has been seriously intransparent. In addition, there are doubts about the quality of the environmental impact assessment.

"Clearly, the Commission has decided to brush aside these concerns and endorse this project, playing Russian roulette with the lives of millions of EU citizens. At the very least,the Commission must refuse to allocate EU tax-payers' money to projects like this, which create massive health and environmental risks."