The European Commission Tuesday proposed additional aid for Bulgaria to shut nuclear reactors at its Kozloduy power plant.
The commission proposal will provide an additional EUR300 million for the years 2010-2013 to help Bulgaria decommission the reactors.
After Russia shut the flow of gas through Ukraine to the European Union last winter, Bulgaria suggested it might restart one of the plant's older reactors to maintain its domestic electricity supplies.
The plant, which has been operating since 1974, has raised safety concerns, and Bulgaria agreed to shut four of its reactors as a condition of joining the EU.
By the end of 2009, the commission will have given EUR550 million in aid to help shut the reactors.