Slovakia nears deal with US for major nuclear reactor project

Slovakia is on the verge of securing a major nuclear energy deal with the United States that would see American firm Westinghouse build a new reactor in the country, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on June 17.

Speaking at a press conference, Fico revealed that talks between Bratislava and Washington were in advanced stages, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The Slovak government, he said, is currently awaiting the final position from the United States before moving forward with a formal intergovernmental agreement.

“If everything proceeds as expected, we can move toward signing a bilateral agreement under which the American company Westinghouse would construct a new nuclear power unit at the Jaslovské Bohunice nuclear power plant,” Fico stated.

He described the project as a “huge investment,” noting that the planned unit would have a capacity of 1,250 megawatts. Although he did not disclose an exact financial figure, Slovakia’s economy ministry previously estimated that such a project could cost as much as 10 billion euros ($11.57 billion).

The new reactor is part of Slovakia’s long-term strategy to boost its nuclear power capacity amid rising electricity demand. The government approved the project last year, aiming for the state-owned unit to be fully operational by 2040.

Slovakia already operates five nuclear reactors across two plants. Its nuclear energy sector recently hit a major milestone: in 2023, the country produced more electricity than it consumed, following the launch of the 472-megawatt Unit 3 reactor at the Mochovce plant by Slovenské Elektrárne. The utility is majority-owned by the Czech energy group EPH, with the Slovak state holding a 34% stake.

Another reactor is currently under construction at Mochovce, while two 505-megawatt reactors are already active at the Bohunice site.

By Tamilla Hasanova