Slovenské elektrárne completed the power start-up of the third Mochovce unit with the last test in the active test phase - 144-hour trial run at full reactor power. The 6-day run demonstrated that the design parameters of the new unit were met and proved that it is capable of safe operation. It has delivered more than 1.2 million megawatt-hours since it was first connected to the grid on 31 January. This volume of electricity produced without carbon dioxide emissions is enough to cover the annual consumption of almost half a million Slovak households.
“I declare with pride and satisfaction that we have successfully completed the last trial run test at Mochovce 3. This nuclear unit is an important pillar of our efforts to ensure a stable and secure supply of electricity for Slovakia. I thank all our employees and partners for their tireless work and dedication that made this success possible. We are confident that Unit 3 will make a long-term contribution to Slovakia's energy mix and help us meet our climate change commitments. We aim to continue investing in future technologies to ensure a sustainable future for the people in Slovakia and Europe.”
Branislav Strýček, Chairman of the BoD and General Director of Slovenské elektrárne
The active testing phase began with the physical start-up of the new unit on 9 September 2022 by loading the first fuel assembly into the reactor. Over the course of thirteen months, the new unit had to undergo hundreds of different tests – first without a fission reaction in the reactor, and then progressively at different reactor power levels after reaching the minimum power. The aim was to test the unit in a variety of different, even extremely unlikely operating conditions, to detect and remove any obstacles that would prevent reliable and safe operation in the future. In January 2023, Mochovce Unit 3 was already in the power start-up phase and the reactor power was step-by-step increased.
“After more than twenty years, we have commissioned another nuclear unit in Slovakia. Its commissioning strengthened the collective of nuclear experts not only from Slovakia. This is an exceptional team, because even colleagues who experienced the commissioning of units in the former Czechoslovakia, have worked at this project together again. It is important that we pass on the baton to the next generation and maintain the knowledge necessary for the energy security of our country."
Juraj Krasňanský, Director of Completion and Commissioning of Mochovce 3 and 4
The complexity of the commissioning process of the new nuclear unit is also evidenced by the enormous numbers of installed plant components that had to be tested and harmonised together during the active testing phase. The third Unit is approximately the size of Bratislava Castle, and in its 1400 rooms there are almost 100 thousand pieces of equipment with 5,500 kilometres of cables and 175 kilometres of piping.
“With the completion of the commissioning of Unit 3, we have welcomed a new unit to our nuclear fleet. The plant successfully passed demanding tests, including disconnection from the power grid at full power. This means that Unit 3 will be able to cope with such challenging situations. Today, we are already preparing for its first planned overhaul and normal operational activities.“
Martin Mráz, director of Mochovce NPP
The new nuclear unit in Mochovce will cover almost 13% of total electricity consumption in Slovakia. In terms of electricity production, the country is becoming energy self-sufficient already this year.
Seven out of ten Slovaks support nuclear energy. Some 60% think that generating electricity at a nuclear power plant is safe. This is shown by the results of a poll by the ACRC agency for the Slovak Foreign Policy Association and Slovenské elektrárne, conducted at the turn of June and July 2022.
Approximately 70% of all electricity generated in Slovakia comes from Slovenské elektrárne. Thanks especially to its nuclear power plants, Slovakia’s largest producer supplies up to 95% of electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. The company was the only one in Slovakia and Eastern Europe to be included in the prestigious index Financial Times: Europe’s Climate Leader 2022 for reducing emissions.
In addition to nuclear power plants, the company also operates 31 hydroelectric, two coal and two photovoltaic power plants. In the end of 2022, its total capacity was 4143.8 megawatts.
The company has two shareholders. The majority shareholder is Slovak Power Holding B.V. (SPH), owning 66.0000000523% of the registered capital. A 50% stake in the registered capital of SPH is owned by EP Slovakia B.V. (a subsidiary of the EPH Group) and the remaining 50% is owned by Enel Produzione SpA (a subsidiary of the Enel Group).
Slovenské elektrárne’s minority shareholder, with a 33.9999999477% share in the registered capital, is the Slovak Republic, represented by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
Slovenské elektrárne increased the power output of the Mochovce nuclear power plant Unit 3 to 100% in the power escalation phase. Since its first connecting to the grid on 31 January 2023, the unit has, during tests, gradually supplied to the grid over 1 million megawatt-hours of electricity, sufficient to cover the average annual consumption of about 400,000 Slovak households. At full power, however, it can cover the consumption of up to 1.3 million households per year.
“This is a historic moment for Slovenské elektrárne and Slovakia. Congratulations and thanks to all colleagues, suppliers, regulatory, controlling and partner institutions, who have worked hard towards achieving this important milestone and ensuring that electricity production in Slovakia will be even cleaner and greener for today’s and future generations – for at least the next 60 years.”
Branislav Strýček, Chairman of the BoD and General Director of Slovenské elektrárne
In early September, Slovenské elektrárne completed all the power escalation tests at levels up to 90%. A report on the tests was prepared and submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic. The largest electricity producer in Slovakia thus fulfilled the conditions for another – this time the final – power escalation in Unit 3 reactor output up to 100%, which is its nominal power. Slovenské elektrárne will perform the final power escalation tests at this power level, followed by a 144-hour trial run.
“After the demanding tests required to prove the safe operation of Unit 3, we have reached the final stage. Full-scale tests are planned for end of September and the beginning of October, including the 144-hour trial run. All tests so far have confirmed the readiness of the new unit for long-term safe and CO2-free power generation.”
Peter Farkaš, Operations Manager at Mochovce NPP
The new nuclear unit in Mochovce will cover almost 13% of total electricity consumption in Slovakia. In terms of electricity production, the country is becoming energy self-sufficient already this year.
Seven out of ten Slovaks support nuclear energy. Some 60% think that generating electricity at a nuclear power plant is safe. This is shown by the results of a poll by the ACRC agency for the Slovak Foreign Policy Association and Slovenské elektrárne, conducted at the turn of June and July 2022.
Approximately 70% of all electricity generated in Slovakia comes from Slovenské elektrárne. Thanks especially to its nuclear power plants, Slovakia’s largest producer supplies up to 95% of electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. The company was the only one in Slovakia and Eastern Europe to be included in the prestigious index Financial Times: Europe’s Climate Leader 2022 for reducing emissions.
In addition to nuclear power plants, the company also operates 31 hydroelectric, two coal and two photovoltaic power plants. Their total capacity is 4143.8 megawatts.
The company has two shareholders. The majority shareholder is Slovak Power Holding B.V. (SPH), owning 66.0000000523% of the registered capital. A 50% stake in the registered capital of SPH is owned by EP Slovakia B.V. (a subsidiary of the EPH Group) and the remaining 50% is owned by Enel Produzione SpA (a subsidiary of the Enel Group). Slovenské elektrárne’s minority shareholder, with a 33.9999999477% share in the registered capital, is the Slovak Republic, represented by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
Slovenské elektrárne will supply electricity to Slovak households until the end of 2023 and in 2024 at a price at the level of 2022.
Based on the implementation agreement, the price of electricity will be, as agreed in the memorandum, 61.20 euros per MWh. The largest Slovak electricity producer will provide the baseload product to the intermediary of the transaction, the company Slovenský plynárenský priemysel, a.s. in an agreed volume of up to 6.15 TWh.
“I am very pleased that we were able to successfully conclude the agreement a few months before the end of the year 2023. Slovak households are thus guaranteed electricity on predictable and extremely favourable terms also for next year.“
Branislav Strýček, Chairman and CEO of Slovenské elektrárne, a.s.
At the same time, until 2025 (included), Slovak government has commited not to take any initiative to introduce new taxes that would burden Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. beyond the usual ones in the European Union. The European Commission has allowed the implementation of extraordinary measures to eliminate the impact of the increase in electricity prices for households also in 2024.
The competition was open to 17 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and was supported by the United States government with a total of $8 million. The winners were presented today by John Kerry, the US President’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, at an international event on nuclear energy in Bucharest, Romania. Along with Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland were also awarded grants. The Special Envoy furthermore announced that the next step in connection with the Phoenix project and the development of small modular reactors will be an event to be held in Bratislava in November. The US delegation will be led by John Kerry.
“I am very happy that we have succeeded in the international competition in such a major competition and that Slovakia will be the place where we launch this important project. The support we have received today represents a great opportunity. It means that Slovakia is one step closer to building a small modular reactor. We believe that the implementation of new technologies, including small modular reactors, is part of the solution to our energy needs. Small modular reactors are not intended to replace existing nuclear or renewable sources. Instead they complement our energy mix to ensure sufficient energy and protect the environment.”
Branislav Strýček, Chairman and CEO of Slovenské elektrárne
The Phoenix project aims to support the transition away from coal towards small modular reactors. The feasibility study will make it possible to assess the suitability of small modular reactors for Slovakia and to propose steps necessary for their potential future construction.
“The countries that have received support for feasibility studies project are pioneers, but they are not alone. We are all in this together, unlocking the next generation of clean base-load power that we can rely on when the wind is not blowing, the sun is not shining, and batteries are not storing. We need the economy moving and nuclear certainly can help. We need to use every tool possible to accelerate the clean energy transition and limit warming. No one technology is the answer to everything. This is the challenge of our lives, the challenge for generations to come, and we have to win. The good thing is that we can.”
John Kerry, US Government Special Envoy for Climate
The grant application for funding a feasibility study on small modular reactors was the first step in fulfilling the partnership defined in the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in June 2023. The signatories to the Memorandum, which aims to ensure conditions for supporting the development of small modular reactors in Slovakia, are Slovenské elektrárne, the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, U.S. Steel Košice, the Slovak Power Transmission System, the Slovak Nuclear Power Research Institute (VUJE), the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava.
“Direct electrification will be key to decarbonising our industry, transport, and heat industries. Demand for electricity in Slovakia will grow significantly over the coming decades and we will need new production sources. Nuclear technology, and especially small modular reactors, will be key to the progressive and correct energy transformation of our country and its economy. The success of the Phoenix application is excellent news for Slovakia. It confirms that we have a lot to offer our partners thanks to our long experience in the nuclear power industry, and it also gives us the opportunity to accelerate the preparation of new projects that are important for the success of our energy transformation.”
Peter Dovhun, Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic
In their application to the Phoenix project, the signatories proposed five Slovak sites for further consideration in the feasibility study, namely the sites of the existing nuclear power plants Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce, the sites of the thermal power plants Nováky and Vojany and the site of the eastern Slovak steel plant of U.S. Steel. The feasibility study will assess several aspects and select the most suitable sites for the possible future construction of small modular reactors.
Small modular reactors are a stable and carbon-free alternative to coal-fired power generation. They are both safer and more flexible than the large nuclear reactors used today. Another advantage is that their systems and components can be manufactured and assembled in units at a factory and transported to the installation site.
The study will further assess the suitable types of small modular reactors from the point of view of the needs of the Slovak power industry and the aspects of the proposed sites. The study will analyse the costs of constructing and operating a small modular reactor and prepare an overall permitting and construction schedule.
Nuclear energy is a key pillar of the Slovak Republic’s energy mix. Thanks to nuclear power generation, Slovenské elektrárne delivered 95% of electricity to the grid last year free of greenhouse gas emissions.
The agreement with the American company Westinghouse is a result of an international tender for supply of nuclear fuel and related services in the entire supplier chain for nuclear fuel production. The aim of the agreement is a diversification of nuclear fuel supplies for the power plants of VVER 440 design in Slovakia.
“Securing another nuclear fuel supplier for our power plants is an important step in strengthening Slovakia’ energy security. Nuclear power plants represent an important pillar in our country's energy mix, therefore I consider it to be crucial to secure nuclear fuel supply diversification for their stable operation.”
Branislav Strýček, General Director of Slovenské elektrárne, a.s.
The fuel, which will be supplied by the Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB company, must first pass the licencing process, i.e. process of approving its use in the conditions of reactors at Slovenské elektrárne, where it must be proven that its use would be safe.
We expect the first fuel deliveries for our reactors of VVER 440 design that are the subject of the agreement with Westinghouse, approximately one year after having them approved for use in compliance with the applicable legal regulations in the Slovak Republic.
The corner-stone of the diversification strategy of Slovenské elektrárne is to support any initiative and cooperation in order have a portfolio of at least two alternative nuclear fuel suppliers and several potential suppliers of materials and services across the entire supplier chain for nuclear fuel production. Therefore, Slovenské elektrárne have actively joined all initiatives aimed at gradual diversification of fuel supplies for VVER 440.
“We are very pleased to contribute to Slovakia’s fuel diversification and to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Slovenské elektrárne. We offer the only Western alternative fuel for this type of reactor and remain fully committed to supporting Slovakia’s operating fleet.”
Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel
The American company Westinghouse has more than 60 years of experience in nuclear power industry, its technology is a foundation of half of all nuclear power plants all over the world. Westinghouse has been providing services for several years for VVER reactors, until now, particularly for VVER 1000 design.
In Slovakia, nuclear power plants generate almost 16 million MWh of electricity annually, representing approximately 59% of the total electricity generation. They are the basis of the country’s electricity system. This share will increase significantly after commissioning of the two new units at Mochovce NPP and after terminating generation from brown coal at Nováky Power Plant at the end of the year 2023.
Slovenské elektrárne generate 70% of all the electricity generated in the territory of Slovakia. Thanks to nuclear and hydropower plants, the low-carbon sources account for up to 95% share in electricity supplied by Slovenské elektrárne, making the company a significant contributor to environmental protection. Financial Times has included Slovenské elektrárne several times into the list of Europe's Climate Leaders.
After successful completion of all power start-up tests at the power level up to 75 % of the nominal reactor power and submission of the test report to the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic, Slovenské elektrárne, a.s., increased the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 reactor power to 90 %. At this power level, according to the unit start-up schedule, the power start-up tests will continue.
The new Mochovce unit has already supplied approximately 650 thousand MWh to the grid, which covers average annual consumption of about 260 thousand Slovak households.
„Tests at the 75 % power level have been carried out without delays, which brings us very close to reaching full power at reactor Unit 3.“
- Martin Mráz, Director of Mochovce NPP
The next power level will already be 100 %, i.e. the reactor nominal power. Full functionality of Unit 3 and achievement of design parameters will be confirmed by a 144-hour demonstration run at 100 % power, which will complete the power start-up phase. This milestone is expected to be reached during September-October.
The new nuclear unit in Mochovce will have the installed capacity of 471 megawatts at start-up, which will cover approximately 13% of Slovakia's total electricity consumption. In terms of electricity production, the country should become energy self-sufficient already this year.
The lifetime of the new unit is planned to be 60 years at least.
Seven out of ten Slovaks support nuclear energy. Up to 60% think it is safe to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant. This is shown by the results of an ACRC public opinion poll conducted for the Slovak Society for Foreign Policy (SFPA) and Slovenské elektrárne in summer 2022.
Approximately 70% of all electricity generated in Slovakia comes from Slovenské elektrárne. Thanks to nuclear power plants in particular, Slovakia's largest producer supplies almost 95% of its electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, which is considered to be one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. The company is the only one in Slovakia and Eastern Europe to be included in the prestigious Financial Times: Europe´s Climate Leader 2022 index for reducing emissions.
In addition to nuclear power plants, the company operates 31 hydro, two thermal and two photovoltaic power plants. Their total capacity is 4143.8 megawatts.
The company has two shareholders. The majority shareholder is Slovak Power Holding B.V. (SPH) with 66.0000000523 % stake in the share capital. In SPH, EP Slovakia B.V. (a subsidiary of the EPH Group) holds 50 % of the share capital and the remaining 50 % belongs to Enel Produzione S.p.A (a subsidiary of the Enel Group).
The minority shareholder of Slovenske elektrárne, with a 33,9999999477 % share in the share capital, is the Slovak Republic, on behalf of which acts the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
Having completed all tests of the Mochovce nuclear power plant Unit 3 at the power level up to 55% of the nominal power, Slovenské elektrárne, a.s., increased the unit to a higher level - 75% power. In the energy start-up phase, the unit delivered approximately half a million megawatt-hours of electricity to the grid by mid-July, which corresponds to the annual consumption of 200 thousand households.
"Transfer to the 75 % power level is satisfaction for the efforts of all our colleagues and suppliers they have invested in the plant since the first fuel assembly was loaded. It is extremely challenging, but also technically interesting. Various stages of the physical and energy start-up have enriched our experience. This will help us not only in the start-up of the Unit 3, but later also with the Unit 4."
Martin Mráz, Director of Mochovce NPP
Full operation of the Unit 3 and achievement of design parameters will be confirmed by a successful 144-hour trial run at 100 %, 471-megawatt power level, which will complete the energy start-up phase. This milestone is expected to be achieved in September-October.
"At the same time, I consider it important to emphasize that the Mochovce 3 met all safety requirements and criteria during the tests and I am convinced that we will successfully pass the last three stages of the energy start-up, up to the completion of the 144-hour trial run."
Juraj Krasňanský, Director of Completion and Commissioning of Mochovce 3 and 4 Nuclear Power Plant
After the completion of the tests at the 75% power level, the unit has to undergo further tests at 90 and 100% power levels.
The new nuclear unit in Mochovce will have the installed capacity of 471 megawatts at start-up, which will cover approximately 13% of Slovakia's total electricity consumption. In terms of electricity production, the country should become energy self-sufficient already this year.
The lifetime of the new unit is planned to be 60 years at least.
Seven out of ten Slovaks support nuclear energy. Up to 60% think it is safe to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant. This is shown by the results of an ACRC public opinion poll conducted for the Slovak Society for Foreign Policy (SFPA) and Slovenské elektrárne in summer 2022.
Approximately 70% of all electricity generated in Slovakia comes from Slovenské elektrárne. Thanks to nuclear power plants in particular, Slovakia's largest producer supplies almost 95% of its electricity without emitting carbon dioxide, which is considered to be one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. The company is the only one in Slovakia and Eastern Europe to be included in the prestigious Financial Times: Europe´s Climate Leader 2022 index for reducing emissions.
In addition to nuclear power plants, the company operates 31 hydro, two thermal and two photovoltaic power plants. Their total capacity is 4143.8 megawatts.
The company has two shareholders. The majority shareholder is Slovak Power Holding B.V. (SPH) with 66.0000000523 % stake in the share capital. In SPH, EP Slovakia B.V. (a subsidiary of the EPH Group) holds 50 % of the share capital and the remaining 50 % belongs to Enel Produzione S.p.A (a subsidiary of the Enel Group).
The minority shareholder of Slovenske elektrárne, with a 33,9999999477 % share in the share capital, is the Slovak Republic, on behalf of which acts the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
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.
The Memorandum of Understanding and development of strategic relations between Slovenské elektrárne and Framatome creates the basis for further development of long-term relations in the field of nuclear energy – operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, safety and modernisation, efficiency improvement, instrumentation, digital and cyber security.
In order to ensure the safety and continuity of operation of nuclear power plants with VVER 440 pressurised water reactors, Framatome, in cooperation with Slovenské elektrárne and other European operators, is focusing on the development of a 100% European nuclear fuel design for this type of reactors.
"Nuclear power plants in Slovakia are key pillars of our national energy security. I consider it one of our main tasks to ensure diversification of nuclear fuel supply for the stable operation of Bohunice and Mochovce nuclear power plants. I am very pleased that we have partnered with Framatome on this project in cooperation with other European operators of VVER 440 reactors."
Branislav Strýček
Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Slovenské elektrárne
Framatome is an international company with more than sixty years of tradition. It is involved in the design of nuclear units, production of nuclear fuel, installation and servicing of equipment and components, and instrumentation and control systems. It is a supplier to over 380 nuclear facilities worldwide. Framatome is also represented in Slovakia, with over 100 employees. For the new nuclear units Mochovce 3 and 4, Framatome supplied the instrumentation and control system.
"Framatome is fully engaged in supporting the Slovak Republic nuclear industry and energy policy. This agreement confirms the trust our customer, Slovenské elektrárne, has placed in us over the years. This further demonstrates our will to pursue this strong cooperation that contributes to Slovakia’s national security and diversification of supply for their VVER plant. Our customers count on our robust and reliable expertise, experience and integrated supply chain – especially in the area of nuclear fuel."
Bernard Fontana
CEO of Framatome
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Slovak Power Plants and Framatome took place in Bratislava during a meeting between Zuzana Čaputová, President of the Slovak Republic, and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, during his visit to Slovakia.
Slovenské elektrárne, a.s., has increased the power output at the Mochovce 3 nuclear power plant to 55% in the power start-up phase. At the same time, 150 gigawatt hours of electricity have been generated at Mochovce 3 since the first phasing of the turbine generators.
Full operation of Unit 3 and achievement of design parameters will be confirmed by the successful completion of the 144-hour proof run at 100 %, i.e. 471 megawatt capacity. Achieving of this milestone is anticipated in May-June 2023.
Already at its current power, the new unit produces electricity enough to cover the consumption of nearly 750,000 Slovak households.
At the same time, the majority shareholder of Slovenské elektrárne, Slovak Power Holding (SPH), signed an Addendum to the Memorandum on the implementation of extraordinary measures to eliminate the high electricity prices impact with the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.
According to the extended Memorandum, Slovenské elektrárne is to supply 5.5 terawatt-hours to households annually:
This is an additional aid to the already agreed volumes of electricity for 2023-2024 in the amount of 6.15 TWh per year, at the price of 61.20 euro/MWh.
"The agreement ensures electricity for households for a long period of time under predictable and extremely favourable conditions. At the same time, the Government has committed that in the period 2023 to 2027 it will not exert any initiative and will not support any initiative against Slovenské elektrárne to introduce, increase or tighten any new tax, levy, fee, specific payment or regulation, thus ensuring a stable regulatory environment for Slovenské elektrárne."
Branislav Strýček, CEO of Slovenské elektrárne
The agreement between the contractual parties will be signed after approval by the European Commission and approval by the statutory bodies of Slovenské elektrárne.
The new Mochovce nuclear unit will have the installed capacity of 471 megawatts at start-up, which will cover approximately 13% of Slovakia's total electricity consumption. In terms of electricity production, Slovakia will thus become energy self-sufficient already this year.
The lifetime of the new nuclear unit is planned to be 60 years at least.
Seven out of ten Slovaks support nuclear energy. Up to 60% think it is safe to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant. This is shown by the results of an ACRC public opinion poll conducted for the Slovak Society for Foreign Policy (SFPA) and Slovenské elektrárne in June-July 2022.
Approximately 70 % of all electricity generated in Slovakia comes from Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. Thanks to nuclear power plants in particular, Slovakia's largest producer supplies up to 95% of its electricity without carbon dioxide emissions, which is considered to be one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. The company is the only one in Slovakia and Eastern Europe to be included in the prestigious Financial Times' Europe's Climate Leader 2022 index for reducing emissions.
In addition to nuclear power plants, the company operates 31 hydro, two thermal and two photovoltaic power plants. Their total capacity is 4143.8 megawatts.
The company has two shareholders. The majority shareholder is the Slovak Power Holding B.V. (SPH) with 66.0000000523 % stake in the share capital. In SPH, EP Slovakia B.V. (a subsidiary of the EPH Group) holds 50 % of the share capital and the remaining 50 % belongs to Enel Produzione S.p.A (a subsidiary of the Enel Group).
The minority shareholder of Slovenské elektrárne, with 33,9999999477 % share in the share capital, is the Slovak Republic, on behalf of which acts the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
