SOFIA (Bulgaria), October 7 (SeeNews) - Southeastern Europeans share in a global pro-nuclear mood and, supported by their governments, are ready to build new reactors or extend the life of existing ones to meet growing domestic demand and regional deficit, and replace outdated capacities.
Following are key facts on major projects:
Albania - One of the poorest southeast European states, which suffers chronic power shortages, announced plans in May to develop nuclear power generation alongside Italian power utility Enel, which said it was looking into nuclear opportunities in Albania.
- Albanian media reported that the country would seek support from its neighbours – Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo, for the project.
Bulgaria - The European Union newcomer, which used to cover more than 70% of the electricity deficit of its neighbours until it closed a second pair of 440-MW reactors at its sole plant in Kozloduy as a condition to join the bloc, plans another 2,000 MW nuclear power plant by 2013-14 along with the existing one, currently operating with 2,000 MW capacity as well.
- Russia's Atomstroyexport, along with France's Areva and Germany's Siemens, is to build the second plant on the Danube under a 4.0 billion-euro deal. Germany's RWE is the strategic investor for 49% of the plant.
- The Socialist-led ruling coalition has said it considered the possibility of building a new reactor at Kozloduy.
Croatia – Croatia, which has a 50% share in a nuclear power plant in neighbouring Slovenia, said in June it will weigh an option for construction of a nuclear plant in a move to secure the country’s energy independence and cover rising demand.
- Later in June, however, the cabinet in Zagreb said it will not need a nuclear power plant if it succeeds in its plan to secure the country’s energy independence by 2015, and will support the generation of energy from renewable sources, but has not officially withdrawn from the nuclear option.
Slovenia – Slovenia said in 2006 it was considering building a second reactor at its jointly owned nuclear power plant, Krsko (NEK), but issues of nuclear waste and the option to extend the life span of the existing plant delayed a final decision. At present, Krsko's nuclear waste is stored at the plant.
Romania - The other 2007 EU newcomer, which had 13% of its electricity generated by two 700-MW reactors at its Cernavoda plant last year, plans two more reactors of equal capacity at the site by 2015. The estimated cost of the two will be a combined 2.2 billion euro, according to a feasibility study from 2004.
- Romania has also announced plans to build a new plant with capacity of between 2,000 and 2,400 MW, whose first unit could come on line no earlier than 2020.
The Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, along with its Baltic neighbours, Slovakia and Turkey are also considering nuclear power projects.
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