In August the time had come: the new Slovakian nuclear reactor had reached criticality - i.e. stable nuclear fission. The fourth block at the Mochovce site in western Slovakia has been feeding electricity into the grid since mid-October.
Slovakia is becoming a nuclear power, announces Branislav Strycek, head of the Slovak Electricity Works. "In the last 20 years, four nuclear power units have been put into operation in Europe: two of them in Slovakia." Slovakia is proving that even a smaller nation can achieve great things, said Strycek. "Because it is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe."
Construction began in the 80s
However, the construction of the nuclear reactor was delayed by twelve years. The third block in Mochovce went online three years ago - also significantly later than planned. The costs for the two power plants have more than doubled to 6.7 billion euros.
Reactor construction began in 1987 during socialist times, but was put on hold until 2008. The pressurized water reactor is based on Soviet technology. The fuel rods come from Russia.
Only in the future does Slovakia want to work with the US company Westinghouse and the French company Framatome. However, the French are counting on Russian participation for nuclear fuel. Production is to take place in Lingen, Lower Saxony, which is met with great criticism there.
Breakdowns when starting up earlier
In Slovakia, a large part of the population supports nuclear expansion. Environmentalists in nearby Austria are alarmed. When unit 3 was started up, there were glitches in test operation. There was talk of construction defects and material errors.
"I have to say that things went better this time," says Marta Ziakova, head of the Slovakian nuclear regulator. "We all really learned from it - both the operator and us." This meant that there were no delays in Unit 4, said Ziakova.
Slovakia sees itself in a leadership position
The new nuclear reactor has an output of 471 megawatts. In regular operation from the end of this year, the reactor is expected to supply around 13 percent of Slovakia's electricity consumption per year. Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks of a milestone on the path to greater energy security and low-emission electricity sources.
“Significantly more than 70 percent of electricity currently comes from nuclear power. Even in France that is now less,” says Fico. "Slovakia is a world leader. And I am convinced that our further great ambitions for a new nuclear power plant will make us even more attractive as a nuclear country."
New mega power plant planned
Slovakia no longer burns coal, but is dependent on Russia for oil and gas. At the country's second nuclear site, in Jaslovske Bohunice, the Russia-friendly prime minister is planning a mega power plant with an output of 1,200 megawatts for the period after 2040. The US company Westinghouse is to receive the contract - without a tender.
In January, Fico signed a memorandum with US President Donald Trump in Florida. There was a hail of criticism from the actually nuclear-friendly opposition. The government neither justified the need nor quantified the costs.
Slovakia is heavily indebted and has implemented unpopular austerity measures. However, Fico decided, overruling his economics minister, to bring the project company for the new nuclear power plant completely into state hands. The buyback of shares from the Czech energy company CEZ cost 189 million euros.
State could buy back majority
After the commissioning of Mochovce 4, the Slovak state now has the option of regaining the majority of the previous nuclear power operator. The entrepreneur Daniel Kretinsky is currently holding it.
“We would be very happy if Slovakia would make use of its right of pre-sale,” said energy expert Karol Galek from the opposition SaS party. But Fico has to secure the finances for this. "Not that Slovakia goes into debt for ten or 20 years and Fico's buddy Kretinsky alone benefits."
The Czech can really use the money for his expansion. In Germany he is very interested in buying the gas company Uniper
