New member Bulgaria is pressing for twice the compensation promised by the European Union for shutting down two reactors at its only nuclear plant.

Sofia now wants a billion euros or permission to re-open them, claiming electricity shortages in the region make it necessary. In order to secure entry into the European Union on January 1, Bulgaria agreed to close four of its six reactors – two in 2002 and the others on December 31.

Brussels claims the reactors are dangerous but too old to be worth modernising. Only two have been allowed to remain on line but these do not produce enough for Bulgaria to continue to export power to the Balkans.

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