The country is obliged to fulfill its promise about the early closure if its scheduled EU accession in 2007 is to go ahead. Units 1 and 2 have already been closed, in the last days of 2002. The Kozloduy plant has two more operating units – 5 and 6.

Between April 17 and 24, Bulgarians were asked to answer the question, “Do you think the Government should request that the Kozloduy nuclear plant issue be reconsidered so as to prevent a further Draconian increase of electricity prices?” Meanwhile, UK ambassador Jeremy Hill said in an interview with Bulgarian national radio that with regard to the closure of the two units in Kozloduy, the EU had a clear and firm position, and they should be closed as agreed.

Bulgaria is currently a major electricity exporter in the Balkans, sending over 6 billion kilowatt-hours of electrical power per year but will most probably have to halve its energy exports after 2007. The EU has earmarked 4.6 billion euros for Bulgaria in its first three years of membership to compensate for the closure of two outdated reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, help develop rural areas and strengthen border control.