France, Slovenia sign declaration on nuclear energy

Slovenia and France have signed a declaration on cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. The document was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Slovenia.

Slovenia has been developing a project to build a new unit at the Krško nuclear power plant for several years. In early September, the project’s developer, GEN Energija, said that three reactor projects offered by EDF and Westinghouse had been assessed as technically feasible for the site of the future Krško 2 nuclear power plant.

According to the Slovenia Times, Macron and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob committed to closer cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the economy and energy.

 Golob: France is a European nuclear power

The two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of education and a declaration of intent to establish long-term cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.

According to Golob, France is a European nuclear power that is building its carbon-free future based on the development of this energy source. There is good cooperation between experts from the two countries, he recalled at a joint press conference in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, stressing that the declaration opens up new opportunities.

Golob said he is convinced that between two equally qualified bidders for Krško 2, Slovenia will be able to choose the solution that best serves its long-term interests and that gives regional importance to the project.

The potential new power plant is not intended only for Slovenia

Krško 1 was built using US technology, but Golob also sees certain advantages in the French bidder, EDF. He revealed that the potential new power plant is not intended only for Slovenia, but would also enable Southeastern Europe to meet a significant portion of its electricity needs.

In October 2024, Slovenia canceled a referendum on building its second nuclear unit. However, GEN Energija continued to develop the project.

In July this year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning initiated the preparation of a spatial plan for the second unit of the Krško nuclear power plant and invited the public to submit comments.