The nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice. (source: TASR)
Slovakia is close to concluding an intergovernmental agreement with the United States on the construction of a new nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday, 17 June, following his meeting with Economy Minister Denisa Saková (Hlas).
“From our side, this agreement is prepared, and we are waiting for the final position of the USA,” said Fico, as cited by the SITA newswire. He added that, should this position be confirmed, the signing of the agreement would lead to the new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice being built by the American company Westinghouse.
Fico described the project as a major investment.
“We are talking about a new power plant with an output of 1,250 megawatts, which is a significant resource compared to our current reactors, which are around 440 megawatts,” said Fico.
In response, Westinghouse stated it is proud to be a long-term partner of the Slovak nuclear industry and welcomes closer cooperation between the US and Slovak governments on nuclear energy.
“We stand ready to help Slovakia achieve its future nuclear energy objectives,” the press department of Westinghouse Electric Company wrote in its statement.
Six Russian, one American?
After six Russian nuclear power units – two in Jaslovské Bohunice and four in Mochovce, with the last expected to launch in 2026 – Slovakia may soon have a new nuclear power plant built by an American company.
The new plant is expected to remain under state ownership. Fico’s government aims to introduce some competition to the dominant power producer Slovenské Elektrárne, which currently operates nuclear power plants at both Slovak sites – Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce, located in western Slovakia. Slovenské Elektrárne was privatised in the early 2000s, and the government now holds only a minority stake of 34 percent in it.
The construction of the new facility is estimated to cost between €13 and €15 billion, and Fico is convinced that this will be money well spent. The plant could be completed around 2040.
Building a new plant is a key priority for the current government, as Slovakia aims to be self-sufficient in electricity production, Fico emphasised.
“We are a country that is a model for the world because today five reactors are already operating in Slovakia, and we plan to bring a sixth online [the fourth one in Mochovce – ed. note] shortly, each with a capacity of around 440 MW,” Fico said. “We will be a country that produces the vast majority of its electricity domestically, primarily from nuclear power.”
Replacement for decommissioned reactors
Slovakia has long planned to build a new nuclear power plant on the site of the decommissioned V1 nuclear power station in Jaslovské Bohunice. The first of the two V1 reactors was shut down in 2006, and the second in 2008. Slovakia committed to their decommissioning in 1999, ahead of joining the EU, even though extensive upgrades had been completed in 2000.
The current government has fully revived plans for the new plant in Jaslovské Bohunice, continuing efforts initiated by the first Fico government at the end of the 2000s. The government has approved a draft procedure for its preparation and construction and has assigned several tasks to Economy Minister Denisa Saková. Prime Minister Fico has expressed satisfaction with the progress made. His fourth government aims to resolve all key issues related to the project during its current term.
Opposition calls for public tender
The opposition SaS and Progressive Slovakia (PS) parties have criticised the government’s plans to proceed without a public tender for selecting the builder of the new nuclear power facility.
“Today [17 June], Robert Fico even informed us that the supplier will be Westinghouse – no selection process, no tender, just Westinghouse,” the SaS party said in a statement.
SaS believes that the project will become another space for backroom deals.
“The investor is to be chosen behind closed doors, without public scrutiny, without a tender procedure. Exactly as Fico knows it v quietly, in the dark,” said Karol Galek of SaS.
PS accuses the government of neglecting renewable energy sources (RES).
“The prime minister boasts about a new nuclear reactor to be built without competition by Westinghouse, and forgets about green energy,” said PS deputy chairman Ivan Štefunko. “This is a way to reduce dependence on dubious suppliers, particularly Russia, but the Fico government is ignoring it.”
