Bloomberg: Slovak PM to meet Trump to discuss €15-billion nuclear plant contract

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet US President Donald Trump on January 17 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, focusing on a potential nuclear energy deal.

The meeting will focus on strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Slovakia, as well as plans for a new nuclear power plant, Bloomberg reports.

A €15 billion contract with US company Westinghouse could be finalized next year.

The Slovak delegation also plans to sign an intergovernmental agreement on nuclear energy cooperation in Washington, which will serve as the foundation for further negotiations with Westinghouse.

An intergovernmental agreement draft between Slovakia and the United States on nuclear energy cooperation was positively assessed by the European Commission, which is required because the US is a non‑EU partner; this framework is designed to pave the way for collaboration on a new reactor project potentially involving Westinghouse.

Negotiations with US firm Westinghouse Electric Company have been underway since 2023 and could see Westinghouse supplying advanced reactor technology for the planned plant; Slovakia has also been diversifying its nuclear fuel sources from Western suppliers like Urenco and Framatome.

Slovakia’s government has approved preparation steps for a new large nuclear power source at the Jaslovské Bohunice site, with construction targeted to begin by 2032, trial operation by 2038, and full commercial operation by 2040 under current plans. 

The government estimates investment costs for this new nuclear project could reach €13 billion – €15 billion as part of efforts to expand low‑carbon energy production and secure long‑term electricity supply.

By Jeyhun Aghazada