Friday, November 03, 2006

On and off

It has happened twice this evening and for the third time for the last 24 hours (at least these are the times I was asleep and could count) - the electricity has been cut off. For 5 minutes or less only, but enough to turn my computer off and all my data to get lost. The last 2 days were pretty cold, the maximum temperature in Sofia is not more than 6-7 C, and I don't want to think abouit the minimum... Since the beginning of the "central heating season" power demand is increasing - due to the fact that many people don't want to pay to the cantral heating company "Toplofikatsia" because they overcharge A LOT. So the electricity supply is so needed...
The problem is that we become more and more dependent on the suppliers of fuel for the power stations. One of the biggest thermo-electric power plants lacks coal because Ukraine doesn't let Russian coal to pass through its borders and doesn't export its own neither. So it is possible that in late December, when the station is much needed and its electricity used - there would be no supply of coal, thus no electricity...
The bigger problem is that 3th and 4th block of the nuclear power plant are to be closed after January 1st 2007. Nuclear energy has almost 50% contribution to the overall production. When these blocks shut down, the consequence will be that Bulgaria probably won't export electricity anymore, and the market niche will be occupied by other supplier. Of course, the official reason for shutting down the two blocks is that this is a requirement Bulgaria should fulfill in order to be compliant with the EU policies. The nuclear reactors are Soviet-made - from the same type as the one at Chernobyl. Among the average Western European the name of the reactor causes trembling, and among the average Western European businessman in the sector the name is associated by the word: "competition". What is a more convenient apology to shut down a reactor than that: it might be dangerous because it's from the same type as the one at Chernobyl. Everyone knows that machines usually are correct, only human mistakes prevent them from operating normally.
Our politicians could have done something to oppose, rather than accepting the conditions. It's quite obvious that behind the excuses about EU requirements more serious reasons are standing.
Nuclear energy is one of those who still have future on this earth. Thermonuclear synthesis - even more. If we build the second nuclear power plant, we would be more independent - well - relatively at least. Everyone knows that Russia through its own company Gasprom is monopolizing the sector in some countries, and in others - the supply. But at least this energy is of the types which still have future. Though it's much more risky than other methods, there are people who make sure that accidents don't happen. So if we want to be independent about production, we should not give up this technology at all.

2 comments:

chocolato said...

Hm, but Gazprom will be doing the Belene Nuclear station.
What independance is this?
Sadly, as a small country Bulgaria is threatened to be dependant on bigger countries.

Anonymous said...

thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights, much appreciated. Happy blogging