The nuclear power station in Mochovce (source: Sme)
The price of completion of the third and fourth blocks of EMO has been increased several times. According to recent information of the Hospodárske Noviny daily, it will increase again, from the current €4.6 billion to €5.1 billion.
The owner of the power plant, power distributor Slovenské Elektrárne (SE), says they continually monitor the construction works and evaluate their impact on the schedule and the budget. They, however, have not denied the information about increasing the final price.
“Our main goal within the project has always been the safety and the highest quality of work possible,” SE spokesperson Jana Burdová said, as quoted by Hospodárske Noviny. “We will not make compromises in safety due to any changes to budget or schedule.”
Economy Minister Peter Žiga also did not want to comment on the potential increase in the final price for EMO Completion, explaining that he has not officially met with SE representatives yet.
The state currently owns a 34-percent share in SE via the Economy Ministry. The rest is owned by Italian group Enel and Czech energy firm Energetický a Průmyslový Holding (EPH).
Experts, however, say the final price may increase. Martin Dargaj, editor-in-chief of the Venergetike.sk website, said that the state will not have any other option than to accept the increase in costs. The price of works on other nuclear power plants in France or Finland have also increased, mostly due to stricter safety precautions adopted after the 2008 accident in Fukushima plant, Hospodárske Noviny wrote.
The original cost for the EMO completion was €2.8 billion.
