Sofia, 19 February 1997 (RFE/RL) - A Cabinet minister today said Bulgaria's Kozlodui nuclear power plant is "highly dangerous" despite improvements made over the past few years.
The state-run BTA quotes Georgy Stoilov, energy minister in the country's new caretaker government, as telling a ministry meeting that the risk was "above the socially acceptable limits."
Stoilov said the danger was due to equipment and technology used at the plant.
Stoilov is the first top official to publicly admit there are risks from operating the plant.
The Kozlodui plant is equipped with Soviet-built reactors, the first of which was opened in 1974. It has been the object of concern of international organisations for some time.
The Kozlodui plant, located on the bank of the Danube River north of Sofia, provides Bulgaria with 30 to 40 percent of its electricity.
The state-run BTA quotes Georgy Stoilov, energy minister in the country's new caretaker government, as telling a ministry meeting that the risk was "above the socially acceptable limits."
Stoilov said the danger was due to equipment and technology used at the plant.
Stoilov is the first top official to publicly admit there are risks from operating the plant.
The Kozlodui plant is equipped with Soviet-built reactors, the first of which was opened in 1974. It has been the object of concern of international organisations for some time.
The Kozlodui plant, located on the bank of the Danube River north of Sofia, provides Bulgaria with 30 to 40 percent of its electricity.