WRITTEN QUESTION P-1870/99

by Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) to the Commission

(12 October 1999)

Subject: Ensuring the safety of nuclear power stations on the Kola Peninsula

The Swedish Agency for Administrative Development has delivered a report to the Swedish Government on the risks and need for action to safeguard important public services by the conversion of data-processing systems to operate into the millennium. In respect of power station safety in Sweden, all systems bearing on safety had been made safe by 1 July 1999. On the other hand, we know that risk assessments are not available for nuclear power stations in several countries in the former Soviet Union.

Some 300 miles from Norrbotten where I live, the Polyarny Zori nuclear power station produces 63 % of the electricity used on the Kola Peninsula; it is regarded as one of the ten most dangerous nuclear power stations in the world. If there is an accident there at the millennium the impact on human life and the environment in the Barents area could be catastrophic for an incalculable period.

What action is the Commission taking to ensure that Russia has acted or will be acting to prevent accidents in its nuclear power stations?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1999)

The Commission has been following the potential nuclear safety implications of the year 2000 (Y2K) problem since 1998 and has undertaken a number of actions, as well as collecting relevant information. The International atomic energy agency has a Y2K programme to assist various states, including Russia. The Agency is also co-ordinating international Y2K nuclear safety activities.

In June 1998, the Commission discussed the Y2K problem with all European nuclear regulatory authorities, and the Russian authority, Gosatomnadzor. At a meeting in January 1999, the Commission again discussed the issue, asked for progress reports and offered assistance. Gosatomnadzor has since requested assistance with developing regulatory procedures for Y2K and the project has been launched. Gosatomnadzor again reported on the Y2K situation in Russian nuclear power plants during a meeting in June 1999. No problems with safety critical systems had been identified and Gosatomnadzor planned to execute Y2K inspections of nuclear power plants in the second half of 1999.

Rosenergoatom, the central utility that operates the Kola plant, recently carried out a mission to assess its Y2K preparedness. The United States department of energy participated in this mission as an observer. The mission found that the Kola plant has made progress with the process of assessing the effect of Y2K on its systems. No problems with safety critical systems were found. Problems in a number of other systems were identified. The plant intends to correct the most significant problems before the end of 1999.

The Commission has concluded a contract with the World association of nuclear operators and they have visited Kola recently. Their mission has included assistance to the plant with its contingency planning.

As can be seen from the above, the Russian authorities have undertaken a number of actions and the Commission is encouraging them to develop these actions further. Nevertheless it should be recalled that nuclear safety is a national responsibility and it is the Russian operators and nuclear regulatory authority that have responsibility for the safety of the plant, not the Commission.