High international praise for the new nuclear power activities at the Kozloduy NPP site„
A meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espo Convention) was held from 5 to 7 February 2019. A representative of Kozloduy NPP EAD also participated in the meeting.
The participants in the forum received the „Good Practice Recommendations“ issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on the implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Energy Activities. These Recommendations describe existing good practices regarding the implementation of transboundary environmental impact assessment procedures in the field of nuclear energy. The purpose of the recommendations is to assist Parties in the consistent practical implementation of the United Nations ESPO Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espo Convention) in the field of nuclear energy by illustrating good practices and exchanging experiences.
According to the cited document of the UN Commission, Bulgaria is cited as an example of implementing good practices in the field of nuclear energy in three main areas. First of all, the activities concerning the conduct of public discussions in the implementation of an investment intention to build a new nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy NPP site are cited as a good practice. According to the recommendations: „In Bulgaria, public participation consists of public discussions and oral and written opportunities for statements on the EIA documentation. Its timing and duration refer to a reasonable period, which is agreed with the affected party…“ and further: „Bulgaria considers as good practice the public consultations and hearings, held in Romanian, organized with the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry regarding the EIA procedures for the Project for the construction of a new nuclear capacity on the Kozloduy NPP site: the public discussions were held in the cities of Dabuleni, Craiova and Bucharest on 18, 19 and 20 November 2014, respectively…“
The other two aspects in which Bulgaria is cited as an example of good practice concern, respectively, the procedure for Notification of interested parties and the conduct of an EIA. Regarding the notification, it is stated that the Republic of Bulgaria notifies the affected parties at the earliest stage of the investment intention and no later than the notification of the Bulgarian public.
The notification of the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Romania regarding the investment intention to build a nuclear power plant on the Kozloduy NPP site is cited as an example of good practice. The EIA procedure for the construction of a state-of-the-art nuclear power plant on the Kozloduy NPP site is also included in the document as an example of good practice. According to the Recommendations for Good Practice, the presentation of the non-technical terms of reference and the EIA Report to Romania and Austria in English is considered. It is noted that the documentation was also provided to Romania in Romanian and to Austria in German.
The inclusion of Bulgaria in the Recommendations for Good Practice on the Implementation of the Convention on Nuclear Energy-Related Activities is a high and authoritative assessment of the activities carried out. International recognition for the conscientious and professional attitude towards the Bulgarian energy sector by the teams of "Kozloduy NPP" EAD, "Kozloduy NPP - New Build" EAD and SE "Radioactive Waste".
The same international recognition does not correspond to the unfounded claims of a group of NGOs appealing the EIA Decision of the Ministry of Environment and Water for New Nuclear Capacity at Kozloduy NPP and halting the development of the region and the country.
