New reactor at Mochovce nuclear power plant reaches next milestone

After Slovakia’s nuclear regulator okayed its commissioning, the operator plans to load nuclear fuel this autumn.

The reactor assembly of the third unit at the Mochovce nuclear power plant, pictured in June 2016.The reactor assembly of the third unit at the Mochovce nuclear power plant, pictured in June 2016. (Source: SME)

After more than 12 years of construction, the third unit of the Mochovce nuclear power plant is ready for commissioning and fuel loading. On Thursday, May 13, Slovakia’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ÚJD) issued a license for commissioning. Its operator, electricity producer Slovenské Elektrárne (SE) responded that it is aiming to load the reactor with nuclear fuel in the autumn of this year.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

“Finally, it’s here,” said Economy Minister Richard Sulík, as cited by the TASR newswire, expressing hopes that the fourth unit of the nuclear power plant, owned by the Slovak government, Italy’s Enel and the Czech group EPH, will also be put into operation during the current term of parliament, i.e. by 2024.

SkryťTurn off ads
Related article The completion of Mochovce: double the budget and numerous delays Read more 

From a technical point of view, the nuclear reactor is ready to handle occurrences beyond design-based events and all the necessary equipment is installed. Staff and documentation are ready as well, noted Peter Uhrík, general director of the ÚJD’s safety evaluation and inspection activities department on Thursday.

“After very extensive inspections, we can state that the installation is ready for operation and we can allow its commissioning with a clear conscience,” said Uhrík.

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Two bear incidents over weekend, an effort to revive Bratislava calvary, and storks in Trnava.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad