The Commission presents a report on the implementation of the work under the nuclear decommissioning assistance programme to Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia in the period 2010-2014.
Purpose of the measures: upon accession, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia committed to close down early eight older Soviet design nuclear power plants before the end of their scheduled lifetime. In exchange the Union agreed to assist financially the three Member States to decommission the power plants concerned:
· Kozloduy (KNPP) units 1 to 4 in Bulgaria,
· Ignalina (INPP) units 1 and 2 in Lithuania and
· Bohunice V1 (V1 NPP) units 1 and 2 in Slovakia.
EU assistance was implemented in three distinct periods. Two Council established a new legal base, providing further support to the decommissioning programmes for the period 2014- 2020. The previous implementation report describes the fulfilment of their initial commitment by the three Member States and the implementation of the assistance programme until 2009. This report describes the activities and results starting from 2010 and ending on 31 October 2014, except for financial data, which is reported on until 30 September 2014.
Main conclusions: during the period covered by the report, the focus passed to decommissioning activities. Lithuania, Slovakia and Bulgaria have built on their closure commitment by continuing the decommissioning works at the shutdown reactors. Whilst some delays have been experienced significant progress has also been made, not only in preparatory work and organisational changes but as well in the actual removal of buildings and equipment.
The financing needs for the completion of the decommissioning programmes have been established. The financing plans identify the gap between the needs and the secured funds, to which the EU assistance programme makes a major contribution. The constitution of the additional funds calls for a careful follow-up.
Decommissioning window: the emphasis is moving gradually from work of a preparatory nature to dismantling and treatment of related waste. Currently, the facilities necessary for decommissioning, treatment and storage of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel are under construction. The licensing documentation is prepared and dismantling has started. In Bulgaria and Slovakia the full decommissioning licences are expected shortly. Although delays occurred in some decommissioning projects, these are actively addressed to minimise their impact on the decommissioning end date, However, in Lithuania, delays to the overall timeline could not be avoided.
Energy window: the energy sector has benefited with projects in line with national energy policies. During the reporting period the focus shifted to decommissioning, though in Bulgaria a significant proportion of the assistance was allocated to the energy sector. The implementation of projects already started will continue for several years, but no new projects in the energy sector will be supported.
Outlook: the issuance of second stage decommissioning licenses in Bulgaria and Slovakia opens the way to the dismantling of core systems. This should translate next year into an increased flow of material being removed from the nuclear installation. The detailed objectives and indicators defined in the implementation procedures will allow precise monitoring of the progression of the work with quantitative information. In particular, the planned introduction of Earned Value Management (EVM) methodology in the three programmes will support project management at local level and further enhance the effectiveness of the Commission monitoring and reporting.
From 2015 a more detailed and quantitative description of the implementation of the work carried out with respect to the work programme will be based on reliable, consistent and comparable indicators.
The Commission services (DG ENER) and its shared resource directorate) are preparing an audit of the proposed national agency in Slovakia and generally support the evolution towards full ownership of the decommissioning at national level.