Projected Costs of Generating Electricity - OECD Nuclear Energy ...

●
●
Autoproducers. These firms (mainly in the chemical and metallurgic sector) generate their own
electricity to cover their own needs. They represent about 1.5% of total generation.
Autonomous generators. These firms generate electricity as a complementary activity, for example
via waste incineration. Output is sold to third parties. These firms represent only 0.6% of the total
generation.
Transmission and distribution
The transmission grid is operated by Elia, an independent company founded in June 2001. In order to
comply with the federal requirements of independency, its former shareholders (Electrabel and SPE) had
to reach an agreement with the federal government on the future shareholder structure. In 2003, Electrabel
and SPE owned 70%, and a co-operative company, representing the Belgian municipalities, owned the
remaining 30%. In the near future, Electrabel and SPE will reduce their share from 70% to 30%, by selling
shares to the private sector via the stock exchange.
Before the liberalisation, several distribution companies were operating in Belgium, doing wholesale
as well as retail transport. These companies (mainly intermunicipal companies) have been appointed as
distribution network operators for their respective territory. In order to comply with the regional laws,
these companies had to put their retail activities into separate companies.
Investment planning
In accordance with the Federal electricity law, the necessity of investment in generation capacity is
assessed on the basis of so-called indicative programmes for electricity power generation capacities.
These indicative programmes, belonging to the responsibility of the CREG, cover a period of 10 years
and the first one covers the period 2002-2011.
This first indicative programme draws up an investment scheme for generation capacities enabling
demand to be met economically and reliably, while taking into account Belgium’s international commitments
as regards the environment. These environmental concerns result in natural gas being favoured for
the new thermal units.
Bulgaria
The national responsibility for the safety of nuclear installation is a fundamental principle. In this context,
adequate legislation for the safety of nuclear installations and the management of radioactive wastes
is a primary responsibility of Bulgaria and the government.
Bulgaria acknowledges that the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) standards and
approaches, as reflected notably in the IAEA Safety Fundamentals and Safety Requirements Series,
constitute an internationally recognised framework which national safety requirements use as a reference
level.
During the last three years, the Government established the new legal basis and adopted completely
new Bulgarian primary and secondary nuclear legislation in accordance with internationally recognised
world-wide good practices. Similarly, principles of containment and safety are applied in conformity with
the international standards and conventions of the IAEA. The important work already done provides a
good basis for the future development of the nuclear sector as an inherent part of the Bulgarian energy
mix.
100