Slovak PM Robert Fico to Discuss New Nuclear Power Unit in South Korea

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will visit South Korea to discuss plans for a new nuclear power unit at the Jaslovske Bohunice plant. Slovakia is considering a 1,200-megawatt unit, which may be state-owned. French and Korean companies are potential bidders, with KHNP previously chosen for Czech projects.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is set to visit South Korea at the end of September to deliberate on constructing a new nuclear power unit at the Jaslovske Bohunice plant, as reported by TASR on Thursday. The proposed unit could have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts.

This initiative follows a government mandate in May instructing the economy and finance ministers to devise a plan for a state-owned nuclear power plant by the end of October. Unlike Slovakia's existing nuclear plants, which are partially state-owned, the new facility would be fully government-operated.

Slovenske Elektrarne, which manages the current plants, completed the 472-megawatt Unit 3 at the Mochovce site last year and is progressing on another unit at the same location. French and Korean firms are being considered for the new project, with Korea's KHNP having recently been selected over France's EDF for similar projects in the Czech Republic.

(With inputs from agencies.)