Slovenské elektrárne signed a Memorandum of Cooperation together with its partners in the energy sector - with the aim of ensuring the conditions for supporting the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). The signatories of the Memorandum (Slovenské elektrárne, the Ministry of Economy, U.S. Steel Košice, the Slovak Electricity Transmission System, VUJE, Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava) consider it important to minimize the negative impacts in the energy sector and their influence on the environment and climate when building stable sources. Small modular reactors represent a stable and carbon-free alternative to coal-fired power generation.
The first step in fulfilling the partnership defined in the Memorandum is to apply for a grant to fund a feasibility study within the Phoenix Project, which is supported by the US Government. The grants for co-financing feasibility studies are primarily intended for the countries of the CEE region. The feasibility study will allow to assess the suitability of small modular reactors in Slovak conditions and to propose the necessary steps for their possible future construction.
Ensuring enough stable energy for Slovakia and at the same time protecting the environment are the key goals for us, power engineers. Each of the signatories of the Memorandum has important capacities that we are combining to meet these goals. We believe that building new technologies, including small modular reactors, is a part of the solution to our energy needs. The signing of the Memorandum is the first step to start mapping whether these technologies are suitable for Slovakia.
- Branislav Strýček
CEO of Slovenské elektrárne
Nuclear energy is a key pillar of the Slovak Republic's energy mix. Thanks to nuclear power plants, Slovenské elektrárne supplied 95% of greenhouse gas-free electricity to the grid last year.
The closure of coal-fired power plants, the decarbonisation of industry and increasing electrification in all directions will mean that Slovakia will need an additional 2.6 TWh of electricity per year over the next decade. A small modular reactor could cover this demand.
Demand for electricity will grow - from households and industry. Renewables are an important part of our energy future, but it is nuclear technology that ensures a stable and secure supply to the grid. Small modular reactors are not meant to replace our existing nuclear resources. They should replace coal-fired power plants and be another source of a stable and carbon-free energy mix and self-sufficiency for Slovakia.
- Branislav Strýček
CEO of Slovenské elektrárne
Small modular reactors are both safe and at the same time more flexible than the large nuclear reactors used today. They also have the advantage that their systems and components can be manufactured and assembled directly in the factory and transported to the installation site. If the feasibility study is successful, this will be followed by the preparation of a schedule for the permitting process and construction.
The popularity of peaceful use of nuclear energy is on the rise among Slovaks. As much as 60.6% of the population considers nuclear energy to be very safe or rather safe, compared to 45.2% in 2015. While in 2015 one in three Slovaks wanted nuclear power plants to be decommissioned, either immediately (6.1%) or when they reach the end of their lifetime (29.7%), today up to seven out of ten people are convinced that we need nuclear power plants. This is according to the results of an opinion poll carried out by the ACRC agency.
