BNS: Lithuania to close N-plant in 2012 unless EU works out special plan - minister
Updated 2008-10-09
VILNIUS, Oct 09, BNS - Lithuania will close its Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in 2012 unless the European Union works out a special plan for dealing with the consequences of the shutdown without jeopardizing the essential interests of the country.
Lithuanian Economy Minister Vytas Navickas intends to say this during Friday's meeting of the EU's energy ministers in Luxembourg. "Unless the energy security problems Lithuania would face after closing the Ignalina plant in [late] 2009 are solved, we will not approve the climate change program," Navickas told BNS on Thursday.
"If our proposals are approved, the energy ministers will ask the European Commission to prepare until the European Council [meeting] in December a plan of actions to cope with the critical situation that would arise if we closed the Ignalina NPP in late 2009. According to preliminary information, the European Commission agrees to work out such a plan," he said.
Navickas confirmed that Lithuania would like to receive around a billion euros in financial aid and much higher emissions allowances if the Ignalina plant were shut down in late 2009 as scheduled.
The European Commission has said repeatedly that Lithuania must adhere to its accession treaty commitment to shut down the Ignalina facility at the end of 2009 and that no discussions on extending the plant's operation are underway. Nevertheless, the Lithuanian government still hopes to persuade the EU's executive body.
Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas has said on more than one occasion that Lithuania wants to receive higher emissions allowances and greater financial support to help it cope with potential energy problems after 2010.
Kirkilas has said earlier that Lithuania will present its arguments to the European Commission and the European Council so that a final decision could be taken. The European Council is to hold a meeting next week.
