The working body for the expansion of the nuclear power plant Krsko held its first meeting. It was established earlier in September, with the aim of expediting construction based on specific legal provisions. The working group is led by experienced energy and nuclear expert Danijel Levicar.
The estimated cost of the new unit is estimated to exceed 10 billion euros, and if the final investment decision is made in 2027 or 2028 as planned, the goal is to have it operational by 2038. The initial plan was to build a reactor with a capacity of up to 1,000 MW, but it’s possible that there will be two reactors with a total capacity of 2:400 MW. Slovenia also plans to conduct a referendum on the project.
Prime Minister Robert Golob said that the purpose of the working group is to prepare all the necessary groundwork, including legal aspects, so that the citizens of Slovenia can make an informed decision on whether to support the construction of the new nuclear unit. He also pointed out that, according to existing legal regulations and initial projections, GEN Energija would only be able to build such a facility by 2049. This information shows that it doesn’t make sense to approach the project in this way, he emphasized, adding that it’s clear that a different approach is needed to make the power plant more economical, cost-effective, and faster to build.
Croatian power utility HEP, which currently receives 50% of produced electricity at the plant, has expressed its desire to invest in a new unit at NPP Krsko.
Levicar said that the second unit will be connected to the grid by 2038, which is quite far off. The goals of the working group and the investor are more short-term, focused on bringing the project to a final investment decision expected around 2027 or 2028.
