Dedicated financial programme for decommissioning of nuclear facilities and management of radioactive waste 2021–2027

The European Parliament adopted by 494 votes to 35, with 32 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing a dedicated financial programme for decommissioning of nuclear facilities and management of radioactive waste, and repealing Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1368/2013.

Parliament approved the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments:

Subject matter

The proposed Regulation seeks to establish a dedicated financial programme for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and management of radioactive waste, with the focus on needs identified on a current basis. For the period of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, it will support Bulgaria and Slovakia to safely decommission their nuclear reactors that have been prematurely shut down, and the implementation of the decommissioning process and management of radioactive waste of the Commission's own nuclear installations at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) sites, while ensuring the protection of workers, in particular as regards health impacts, the general public and the environment.

The programme seeks to develop ties and exchanges among Union stakeholders, in particular the industry, on nuclear decommissioning and the management and disposal of radioactive waste, with a view to ensuring the dissemination of knowledge and exchanges of experiences in all relevant areas such as research and innovation, regulation, training and to develop potential Union synergies.

Members noted that such financial assistance shall not, however, set a defining precedent for the funding of future nuclear decommissioning at Union level. The initiative to undertake and finance the decommissioning of nuclear facilities should primarily remain the responsibility of the Member States.

Budget

The financial envelope for the implementation of the programme for the period 2021-2027 shall be set at EUR 446 million, expressed in current prices, according to the following indicative breakdown: (a) EUR 63 million for actions under the Kozloduy programme; (ii) EUR 55 million for actions under the Bohunice programme (iii) EUR 348 million for actions under the JRC decommissioning and waste management programme.

Co-financing rates

The Programme may finance eligible costs of an action as set out in Annexes I and II. The minimum Union co-financing rate applicable under the Kozloduy programme or the Bohunice programme shall be no less than 50%. The remaining co-financing shall be provided by Bulgaria and Slovakia respectively.