91998E3686

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3686/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Nuclear power plant in Ignalina, Lithuania

1. Is the Commission aware that in November the Lithuanian Parliament will discuss and adopt the National Energy Strategy, which may well recommend the rechannelling of the reactors in the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania, a measure which would contravene the Nuclear Safety Account Agreement and Agenda 2000? What measures is the Commission taking to ensure that the plant is not rechannelled?

2. Will the Commission make any pre-accession funds allocated to Lithuania conditional upon the closure of Ignalina?

3. Does not the Commission believe that the recent contracts signed by the Lithuanian energy sector for the export of 6 TWh electricity every year for the next 10 years - nearly the total amount generated by one reactor at the Ignalina NPP - will discourage the Lithuanian authorities from closing the reactors?

4. What measures will the Commission take, should the Lithuanian Government begin rechannelling the Ignalina reactors?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

The Commission is aware of the commitment by the Lithuanian government to submit a national energy strategy to the Parliament before the end of 1998 and is closely following this issue.

In coordination with international financial institutions, the Commission has repeatedly urged the Lithuanian government to respect the commitments under the nuclear safety account (NSA) agreement with the European bank for reconstruction and development. In the NSA the Lithuanian authorities undertake a commitment not to rechannel the units of the Ignalina nuclear power plant (NPP). In its opinion on Lithuania's application for Community membership, in the accession partnership, and in the regular report of 4 November 1998, the Commission has identified this as a priority area for action. The Commission has also expressed its concern about the energy export policy of Lithuania.

The Commission has indicated its willingness to cooperate with the Lithuanian government in the preparation of a comprehensive energy strategy. This should include consideration of the consequences resulting from the closure of the plant. Provided Lithuania commits itself to an acceptable closure timetable, support financing can be made available from the Community budget. Any future Phare funds for the Lithuanian energy sector will be conditional upon the adoption of a national energy strategy in line with the NSA agreement, confirmation of the commitment not to rechannel and the adoption of a realistic closure timetable.