Slovakia plans project with partners to build small modular reactors

Bratislava/Jaslovské Bohunice (Slovakia), June 23 (CTK) - Slovakia is preparing a project with Italian company Newcleo to build small modular reactors (SMRs) that would use reprocessed spent nuclear fuel to generate electricity. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said this at a conference today on the development and deployment of an advanced fourth-generation modular reactor. Slovakia already generates more electricity from nuclear power than any other country, and the state also plans to build a large nuclear power plant.

According to Fico, the plan is to build four modular reactors, each with a capacity of around 200 megawatts. The project involves state-controlled Slovak company Javys, another Slovak company, VUJE, and Italian company Newcleo, whose representatives signed the relevant documents. The results of the study are expected by the end of next year.

"I am pleased that not only Slovakia but the whole world is experiencing a nuclear renaissance. Nuclear energy has the full support of the government of the Slovak Republic," Fico said.

The modular reactors are expected to be located at Jaslovské Bohunice, where the state is also preparing a new 1250-megawatt nuclear power plant. According to an earlier statement by Fico, the project is to be overseen by US company Westinghouse.

Slovakia's largest electricity producer, Slovenské elektrárne (SE), currently operates a nuclear power plant at Jaslovské Bohunice. It also owns another nuclear power plant at Mochovce, where it is working to complete Unit 4. Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský's Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH) has a controlling stake in SE.

In Czechia, the ČEZ group is preparing a project to operate a modular reactor near the Temelín nuclear power plant, as well as other similar facilities in Tušimice in the Chomutov district, according to earlier reports.

Modular reactors can be mass-produced in factories, with multiple units gradually brought together at a single site. According to nuclear energy experts, they differ from large nuclear units mainly in their lower capacity and faster, simpler construction.