Slovakia has announced a record-breaking investment in nuclear energy, selecting American firm Westinghouse to build a new nuclear power plant at Jaslovské Bohunice at an estimated cost of €13 to €15 billion.
The deal, one of the largest in the country’s history, is being finalized through an intergovernmental agreement with the United States, which Economy Minister Denisa Saková confirmed is now awaiting final approval from Washington.
Prime Minister Robert Fico abandoned earlier discussions with South Korean firms in favor of an American partnership. “I told my American colleagues that for me, the most expensive nuclear power plant is the one that is not built. A nuclear power plant is not a money-making machine,” Fico said, expressing enthusiasm for the long-term economic potential of the project, which is expected to be completed by 2040.
But opposition parties have sharply criticized the government for moving forward without a public tender. Saková acknowledged that no tender would be held, a decision that has sparked protests from several parties.
Progressive Slovakia (PS) condemned the lack of transparency, stating, “It is unacceptable that there is no public, and especially expert, discussion on this topic.”
The party also accused the governing coalition of refusing to explain its decisions either in parliament or to the public.
“This investment will be implemented for at least 15 years and is expected to be in operation for 80 years,” noted the Freedom and Solidarity Party (SaS), expressing concern that parliament had been left in the dark about an investment of such significance.
Despite the backlash, the Slovak government appears committed to the plan, arguing that the deal with Westinghouse secures a strategic energy future and strengthens ties with the United States.
In 2023, Westinghouse also secured the contract for preliminary work on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Poland, while in Czechia, the Prague government opted to utilize the expertise of South Korean firm KHNP earlier this year.
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