SE began loading fuel into the fourth Mochovce nuclear power plant unit

Slovenské elektrárne began loading fuel into the fourth Mochovce nuclear power plant unit. Several more tests will follow, and the company expects the 471 MW unit to operate at 20% capacity by end-August and connect to the grid. The unit should reach full output at the turn of the year and next year will cover 13% of Slovakia's electricity consumption. Construction costs for both Mochovce units have risen to €6.7bn from the original €2.8bn. The third unit was originally due for completion in 2013 and the fourth a year later; the third unit came online at end-2023.

Slovakia will become a "superpower in electricity generation" relative to its population and economic output thanks to four Mochovce units and two nuclear units at Jaslovské Bohunice, PM Robert Fico said. The government is already working on construction of a new 1,200 MW unit at Jaslovské Bohunice.

Fico reiterated that the state should increase its stake in Slovenské elektrárne. A 6-month window during which the government holds an option to purchase a 17% stake in SE will begin upon the connection of the Mochovce unit 4. The state currently owns 34%, with the majority held by EPH (Daniel Křetínský and Patrik Tkáč). The option does not set a price for the stake. Fico acknowledged that the state's fiscal position does not allow for the purchase. SE last year raised consolidated net profit 22% to €968m.

(sme.sk, hnonline.sk)