Slovakia could build a new nuclear reactor in the future as electricity consumption will increase from the new energy-intensive projects.
The Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Agency has already received an application for a building permit from the Nuclear Energy Company of Slovakia, which is partly state-owned. The company aims to build a power plant on the site of the current Jaslovské Bohunice power plant, which will reach the end of its useful life sometime after 2040.
“Given that we certainly won’t have enough electricity by 2040-45, we need to start today to address exactly what our children will be using to generate electricity. Without a new nuclear power plant, we will not move,” said Roman Sporina, the company’s CEO.
Proponents of the projects argue that Slovakia needs a new power plant because of electricity consumption after the completion of several new energy-intensive projects such as the new Volvo plant and the construction of two electric arc furnaces at US Steel’s factory in Košice or the potential battery gigafactory will rise. However, experts warn that Slovakia needs flexible sources capable of providing so-called renewable energy support services.
“Although nuclear power plants deliver electricity continuously, they cannot cover rapid power fluctuations. This is done by other sources, of which Slovakia has few,” said Ján Mazánik from Slovenské elektrárne as – the owner of Slovakia’s existing nuclear power plants.
However, it is not clear who will finance the new power plant. The current Slovak government has already stated that it will not allocate money to the project and there is little interest from the private sector.
This year, the third unit of the Mochovce nuclear power plant was commissioned, and the fourth unit is scheduled to be commissioned in 2024.
Source : Euractive
