Brussels, 08/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Although it recognises that several important milestones have been achieved in the decommissioning of the eight nuclear reactors closed down in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia, in compliance with EU accession protocols, the European Court of Auditors has identified a significant lack of funding of around €2.5 billion for finalising the programmes.
In a report published on 8 February (report 16/2012) on EU financial assistance (€2.85 billion for the 1999-2013 period) to Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia for the early closure and subsequent decommissioning of eight non-upgradeable nuclear reactors, the European Court of Auditors indicates that the three countries have respected their commitments with regard to the EU accession treaty by proceeding to closure and have achieved a number of given objectives for decommissioning the plants. Nonetheless, the court points out that the main phases involved in the process still need to be accomplished and its completion faces a “significant funding shortfall” (around €2.5 billion).
The Court explains that the identification of decommissioning activities is still in progress (the report submitted only covers 1999-2010). Major infrastructure projects face delays and cost-overruns, cost estimates are not complete in the absence of key information on radioactive waste and/or the facilities and technologies required for their treatment. The Court adds that a broad variety of activities to mitigate the consequences of the nuclear reactors' early closure has been financed but the degree of mitigation achieved is not known. The Court demonstrates that there is no comprehensive needs-assessment, prioritisation and setting of specific objectives. Responsibilities are diffused. The Commission's supervision focuses on the budgetary execution and project implementation rather than on the achievement of the programme objectives as a whole.
The Court therefore recommends that the Commission should establish a detailed needs-assessment showing the progress of the programmes, the activities still to be performed and an overall financing plan identifying the funding sources. Before further spending takes place, the Commission should analyse the resources available and the expected benefits. This should lead in turn to objectives being aligned with the resources and to performance indicators, which can subsequently be monitored and reported on as necessary. Further financial assistance after 2013 should be based on an evaluation of its EU added value, identifying the specific activities to be financed taking account of other funding facilities, such as Structural Funds. (EH/transl.fl)