Slovakia is moving forward with a new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice carrying an estimated total price tag of over 15 billion euros, translating to approximately 2,000 euros for every resident. Robert Fico signed a preliminary project engineering agreement with the United States-based company Westinghouse, marking the formal start of technical site evaluations without a public procurement process. Dnešný podpis je ďalším krokom k silnejšiemu Slovensku a k bližšej spolupráci našich dvoch krajín,
uviedla chargé d’affaires veľvyslanectva USA na Slovensku Courtney Kline.
Preliminary Agreement and Site Evaluation in Jaslovské Bohunice
The newly signed technical document permits Westinghouse specialists to examine the proposed construction site and review existing permits in Jaslovské Bohunice. The state-owned company JESS spent years preparing the land parcels in Bohunice. Elias Gedeon, vice president of Westinghouse, stated that Bohunice ranks among the finest locations in Europe for nuclear power plant construction due to existing resources and skilled specialists. Prime Minister Fico described the signing as a small yet crucial step that will precede much more serious actions. Už nás nič v tomto procese nezastaví,
said Robert Fico. Budeme pracovať so stavebnou spoločnosťou francúzskeho konzorcia, aby sme finalizovali dohodu tak, aby do septembra 2027 tento projekt bol naozaj nezvratný,
potvrdil viceprezident Westinghousu Elias Gedeon.
Did You Know? Slovakia currently operates six Soviet-type nuclear reactors split between Mochovce and Jaslovské Bohunice, with each reactor supplying roughly 15 percent of the country’s annual electricity consumption.
Costs, Funding, and Technical Specifications
While the overall investment is projected to reach over 15 billion euros, government materials cited by Pravda place the minimum investment expenditure at 10,9 miliardy eur. The new Westinghouse reactor will feature a capacity of up to 1,200 megawatts, making it 2.5 times more powerful than the existing Soviet-designed reactors. A single unit will possess the capacity to supply up to 40 percent of Slovakia’s total annual electricity consumption. Analysts point out that final financial returns will depend heavily on financing costs, repayment periods, and future market electricity prices, while the Slovak state budget for 2027 allocates 100 million euros toward the Bohunice project.
Political Friction and Insecurities Over Public Procurement
Prime Minister Fico did not comment on why the government selected Westinghouse without holding a public procurement contest, having previously argued that alternative suppliers lacked equivalent preparation. The decision followed months of internal disputes, including a political standoff involving Denisa Saková over the acquisition of Czech firm ČEZ shares in JESS, which the state fully resolved in October by purchasing the remaining 49-percent stake for 189 miliónov eur. Fico emphasized his intention to make the project irreversible prior to the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2027. Meanwhile, opposition figures from Progresívne Slovensko, including Ivan Štefunko, criticized the administration for committing the country to long-term obligations without transparency or prior public consultation. Vláda ide podpisovať niečo, o čom nevie nič opozícia, médiá ani verejnosť a zároveň niečo, čo zaviaže celé Slovensko do budúcnosti,
uviedol podpredseda hnutia Ivan Štefunko.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new nuclear block expected to start operating?
Analyst projections indicate that initial testing could begin around 2038, with official governmental and analytical estimates pointing to an operational window between 2038 and 2040.
Will the new plant immediately lower household electricity bills?
No, the construction of the new nuclear facility will not automatically reduce electricity prices, as tariffs are determined by the Regulatory Office for Network Industries and broader market conditions.
How was the state-owned project developer structured prior to the agreement?
The project developer JESS originally operated as a joint venture between the state-owned company JAVYS and the Czech energy firm ČEZ, before the Slovak state acquired the remaining 49-percent stake in October for 189 miliónov eur.
How will future administrations manage the financial risks of a multi-billion-euro infrastructure project if construction timelines experience delays?
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