FACTBOX: Main power generation sources in CEE

(Reuters) - Many central and east European countries rely heavily on coal for their electricity production. Nuclear energy is another major power source in the region.

The heavy coal dependence is behind concerns in the east that power bills would likely jump sharply from 2013, when the European Union plans to end free handouts of carbon permits to energy utilities as part of efforts to combat climate change.

Following are details about the main generation sources in eastern Europe as a percentage of total power output in 2007.

BULGARIA

hydropower - 10

nuclear - 40

coal - 43

gas - 7

CZECH REPUBLIC

hydropower - 3.5

nuclear - 30

coal - 57

gas - 5.5

HUNGARY

nuclear - 37.5

coal - 16

gas - 39

renewables - 4.1

LATVIA

hydropower - 58.1

fossil fuels - 38.6

LITHUANIA

hydropower - 70.2

fossil fuels - 18.8

renewables - 8.1

POLAND

hydropower - 2.0

coal - 94.3

gas - 3.1

ROMANIA

hydropower - 28

nuclear - 13

coal - 40

gas - 19

SLOVAKIA

hydropower - 16.5

nuclear - 57

coal - 12

gas - 5.5

Sources: The Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity (www.ucte.org), The Energy Regulators Regional Association (www.errant.org, Bulgaria's economy and energy ministry (www.mi.government.bg)

(Compiled by Anna Mudeva)