High international assessment for the activities of new nuclear power at Kozloduy NPP site

From 5 to 7 February 2019 A meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the Espoo Convention) was held. The meeting also participates with a representative of Kozloduy NPP PLC.

The Forum participants received the “Recommendations for good practice” issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on the implementation of the Convention for activities related to nuclear energy. These recommendations describe existing good practices regarding the implementation of cross-border environmental impact assessment procedures in the field of nuclear energy. The aim of the recommendations is to assist the parties in the consistent practical implementation of the United Nations ESPOO Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (the Espoo Convention) in the field of nuclear energy through Illustrate good practices and exchange of experiences.

According to the Commission’s statement to the United Nations, Bulgaria is listed as an example of the implementation of good nuclear energy practices in three main directions. Firstly, the activities concerning the conduct of public discussions in the realization of an investment plan for the construction of new nuclear power at the Kozloduy NPP site are mentioned as good practice. According to the recommendations: “In Bulgaria, the public contribution consists of public hearings and oral and written opportunities for statements on EIA documentation. The time and duration shall relate to a reasonable period which is consistent with the Party concerned… ” And more: “Bulgaria considers good practice public consultations and hearings, held in Romanian language, organized with the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and forests regarding the EIA procedures for a new nuclear power project On the site of Kozloduy NPP: The public discussions took place in the cities of Dambueni, Craiova and Bucharest on 18, 19 and 20 November 2014 respectively… ”

The other two aspects, in which Bulgaria is listed as an example of the implementation of good practices, concern accordingly – the procedure of notification of interested parties and the implementation of EIA. The notification shall state that the Republic of Bulgaria shall inform the parties concerned at the earliest stage of the investment intention and no later than the notification to the Bulgarian public.

An example of good practice indicates the notification to the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Romania of the Investment plan for the construction of a MUTE on the Kozloduy NPP site. The EIA procedure for the construction of the MUTE of the latest generation at the Kozloduy NPP site is also present in the document as an example of good practice. According to the recommendations for good practice, the presentation of the non-technical task and the EIA report of Romania and Austria is considered in English. Mention that the documentation was also provided to Romania in the Romanian language and to Austria in the German language.

The inclusion of Bulgaria in the good practice recommendations on the implementation of the Convention for activities related to nuclear energy is a high and authoritative assessment of the activities carried out. International recognition for the conscientious and professional attitude towards Bulgarian energy by the teams of Kozloduy NPP PLC, Kozloduy NPP – New capacities EAD and DP “Radioactive waste”. The same inte
rnational recognition does not correspond to the The unfounded claims of the NGO group appealed the decision on EIA of MOEW for new nuclear power in Kozloduy NPP and the development of the region and the country.