German MEP Demands Halting Bulgaria's Second Nuclear Power Plant

The construction of the first 1,000 MW unit of Bulgaria's second NPP “Belene”, began in September of 2008. Photo by BGNES

The construction of Bulgaria's Nuclear Power Plant "Belene" must be halted until the whole truth about the project comes to light.

The idea was voiced by the German Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Rebecca Harms, from the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance. Harms was on an official visit to Bulgaria Monday.

According to the MEP, the NPP project remains a mystery for the Bulgarian and the European society, and potential environmental and seismic risks require suspension of "Belene's" construction.

Harms held a meeting at the Bulgarian National Electric Company (NEC), which is in charge of the NPP construction, and had demanded full access to the information NEC had submitted to the European Commission (EC).

The MEP further voiced her dissatisfaction with the fact that a company from her own country, RWE, was involved in "Belene's" financing, but added that RWE's participation was uncertain and shareholders were in serious debates over future investment plans.

"I am certain every company is going to seriously examine and revise their investment plans in the light of the global financial crisis," Harms is quoted as saying by Darik radio.

The MEP further stated that her meetings with local mayors have revealed that, except for the Mayor of the town of Belene, all others were opposed to the idea of the construction of a NPP and have even sent official statements to the European Institutions, NEC and RWE.

Harms pointed out that instead of building nuclear faculties, Bulgaria should focus on effective energy and invest in producing energy from renewable sources.

 

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