Slovenia, France sign two agreements on cooperation in nuclear energy

France’s state-owned energy company EDF and the International Institute of Nuclear Energy I2EN signed memoranda of understanding with Slovenian scientific institutions on cooperation in civil nuclear energy use.

Ambassador of France to Slovenia Florence Lévy and Slovenian State Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Jure Gašparič attended the signing of two bilateral agreements on research and development, training and education.

Recognizing the key role of nuclear energy in achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050 and ensuring greater energy independence, the signatories committed to strengthening the Slovenian and European nuclear sector, especially if Slovenia decides to build a new unit at the Krško nuclear power plant, the ministry said. The facility is also known for the acronyms NEK and, in Slovenian, JEK.

EDF to work with Jožef Stefan Institute on R&D for nuclear plant projects

One of the two memoranda of understanding on cooperation in civil nuclear energy use is between French government-owned energy giant EDF and the Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS). It entails research and development in the construction of nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs).

“The agreement is part of the strategic development of cooperation between France and Slovenia, supported by EDF for several years. Our key goal is to deploy a European fleet of nuclear reactors developed by EDF and a European nuclear industry that will answer the challenges of competitiveness, energy security and sovereignty of our continent. Slovenia is at the center of this strategy,” said the company’s Senior Vice President for International Nuclear Development Vakisasai Ramany.

The MoU envisages cooperation in training and the use of research facilities for the development of partnerships between laboratories. IJS revealed that there is a possibility that EDF would participate in the installation of its new research reactor.

Notably, EDF and Egis Industries have just won a tender in Serbia for a preliminary study on the possibility of civil nuclear energy use in the country.

EDF proposed to Slovenia’s GEN energija late last year to support the construction of two EPR1200 units and, alternatively, one EPR unit.

University of Maribor to introduce programs for nuclear science, technology

The purpose of the memorandum of understanding between the International Institute of Nuclear Energy I2EN and the University of Maribor is the development of new higher education programs in the field of nuclear science and technology.

The document includes initiatives such as the promotion of student and researcher exchanges, joint preparation of European projects and the possibility of internships in France.

Slovenia supports civil use of nuclear energy as it is, together with renewable sources, the key to a green transition, State Secretary Gašparič pointed out. “At the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, we are aware that the development of a successful and safe nuclear program requires cooperation between industry, science and the government, strengthened by international partnerships,” he stated.