The halting of Units 3 and 4 of Bulgaria’s Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) "Kozloduy" will cost the European Union 860 million euros by 2013, according to MEP Geoffrey Van Orden.

The British Member of the European Parliament, who is a former rapporteur to the EP for Bulgaria, spoke during a round table dedicated to the project to build a second NPP in Bulgaria, in the Danube town of Belene.

Van Orden said the above is a significant amount, but pointed out Bulgaria must be guaranteed its energy capacity and be compensated for the closure of the Units, which he deems unnecessary.

"I fought against this closure; it was pointless and was not done over security concerns. This closure led to a lower export of electric power from Bulgaria and increased the use of the harmful lignite coal, the MEP stated, reminding that the EP is most likely to vote on the compensations on May 18.

Regarding the NPP "Belene" Van Orden pointed out the project’s strategic investors must be from the European Union and the cabinet’s decision to build it must be based on the principle of maximum diversification, taking into consideration Russian policies and the possible negative consequences of Moscow’s participation.

The EU-backed "Nabucco" line, Van Orden says, is crucial for such diversification of natural gas supplies to Bulgaria.

The UK MEP further said Bulgaria has all the potential to become the Balkans energy hub, but lacks a good energy strategy.