Nuclear energy in Slovakia
Encyclopedia
Slovakia
has four operational nuclear reactor
s, commissioned between 1984 and 1999. The net MWe is 1,711 and nuclear energy
produces approximately 50% of the country’s electricity. Of Slovakia's seven reactors, the three oldest ones have shut down. However, the government is committed to nuclear power, and two more reactors have been under construction at Mochovce
since 1985.
Prior to its accession to the European Union
, Slovakia had to shut down two of its older reactors at Bohunice
, because they did not meet European safety standards. Slovakia spent significant effort to achieve WANO
standards, but the EU insisted on the shutdowns. The first plant closed 31 December 2006 and the second on the last day of 2008. The closure of these units, prior to the completion of two new reactors has left the country short on power and Slovakia became an energy importer after the first plant was shut down.
The two planned reactors at Mochovce are to be of capacity of MWe 405 each and completion dates of 2012 and 2013. Italian power company Enel
, a majority shareholder of the Slovak power company, plans investment of €1.6 billion for completion of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant
units 3 and 4 by 2011–2012. In January 2006 the Slovak government approved a new energy strategy incorporating these plans, with capacity uprates at Mochovce NPP units 1 and 2, and at Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant units 3 and 4.
Radioactive waste
in Slovakia is disposed without reprocessing. The spent fuel stays at the reactor site; however, some spent fuel has been exported to Russia
. Slovakia has also begun a search for a high-level waste repository and established a fund with approximately €775 million to build it.
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
has four operational nuclear reactor
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
s, commissioned between 1984 and 1999. The net MWe is 1,711 and nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
produces approximately 50% of the country’s electricity. Of Slovakia's seven reactors, the three oldest ones have shut down. However, the government is committed to nuclear power, and two more reactors have been under construction at Mochovce
Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant
The Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant located between the towns of Nitra and Levice, on the site of the former village of Mochovce. Two up-rated 470 MW reactors are presently in operation, with two further reactors of the same type under construction...
since 1985.
Prior to its accession to the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, Slovakia had to shut down two of its older reactors at Bohunice
Jaslovské Bohunice
Jaslovské Bohunice is a small village in Slovakia in the Trnava District. It is best known for the nearby Bohunice Nuclear Power Plants complex....
, because they did not meet European safety standards. Slovakia spent significant effort to achieve WANO
World Association of Nuclear Operators
The World Association of Nuclear Operators is an international organisation founded in 1989 after the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and professional excellence within the nuclear industry...
standards, but the EU insisted on the shutdowns. The first plant closed 31 December 2006 and the second on the last day of 2008. The closure of these units, prior to the completion of two new reactors has left the country short on power and Slovakia became an energy importer after the first plant was shut down.
The two planned reactors at Mochovce are to be of capacity of MWe 405 each and completion dates of 2012 and 2013. Italian power company Enel
Enel
Enel may refer to:*Enel SpA, an Italian electricity company*Enel , a fictional villain in the One Piece manga and anime series*Enel, meaning third in the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, cf. Awakening of the Elves...
, a majority shareholder of the Slovak power company, plans investment of €1.6 billion for completion of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant
Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant
The Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant located between the towns of Nitra and Levice, on the site of the former village of Mochovce. Two up-rated 470 MW reactors are presently in operation, with two further reactors of the same type under construction...
units 3 and 4 by 2011–2012. In January 2006 the Slovak government approved a new energy strategy incorporating these plans, with capacity uprates at Mochovce NPP units 1 and 2, and at Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant units 3 and 4.
Radioactive waste
Radioactive waste
Radioactive wastes are wastes that contain radioactive material. Radioactive wastes are usually by-products of nuclear power generation and other applications of nuclear fission or nuclear technology, such as research and medicine...
in Slovakia is disposed without reprocessing. The spent fuel stays at the reactor site; however, some spent fuel has been exported to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Slovakia has also begun a search for a high-level waste repository and established a fund with approximately €775 million to build it.