Energy Crisis

Golob: Right time for nuclear, Slovenia to decide on referendum

golob nuclear power plant krsko nek

Published

November 1, 2022

Country

Comments

1

Share

Published:

November 1, 2022

Country:

Comments:

1

Share

Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob said now is the right time for the nuclear option to secure its place in the energy sector of the future, and revealed a referendum is planned on the second unit of the Krško nuclear plant.

Slovenia is planning to increase its nuclear power capacity and Croatia is interested in participating in the project, while environmental activists in Slovenia oppose the idea. Throughout Europe, nuclear energy is gaining more and more supporters amid the severity of the energy crisis.

Prime Minister Robert Golob visited the Krško nuclear power plant, which is in overhaul, and said he agreed with the facility’s management that now is the opportunity for the nuclear option to secure its position for the future. He added it would be difficult for Europe to overcome the current issues in the energy sector without utilizing all technologies.

Renewables come first, but Europe needs all technologies

Renewable energy sources are the first priority, but now is an opportunity for nuclear technology to reaffirm itself and offer solutions for Europe’s future, Golob said, local media reported.

Both Slovenia and Europe, he is convinced, want energy sources that cannot be used to blackmail them, ones they control technologically and with stable fuel sources.

golob nuclear power plant krsko nek referendum

Golob pointed out that the authorities in Slovenia are awaiting a concrete solution from experts as soon as possible for the construction of the nuclear power plant with Western technology.

The government expects experts to offer a concrete solution for the new nuclear plant

When it happens, the government will seek a national consensus for such an investment, Golob said.

According to him, a referendum will have to be held within five years on whether to build another nuclear power plant. Of note, it is not the first time that a plebiscite idea has been floated.

Golob: Right now the decision seems simple

The state will ask power utility GEN Energija to speed up planning for the second unit in order to create a situation where citizens can decide whether they want it or not.

At the moment, having in mind energy needs, the decision seems simple, said Golob.

Stanislav Rožman, president of the NEK Management Board, said that Krško would be ready for another 20 years of operation after the overhaul.

Of note, Poland has just announced it would build three nuclear power plants. It expects the construction of the first one to begin in 2026.

Comments (1)
Ignac ŠKODA / November 2, 2022

I support. Only that the decision is not made too late.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Wind turbines on the sea.

Ørsted issues blue bonds, vows to recycle solar panels, wind turbines

09 June 2023 - Danish renewable energy giant Ørsted said it would invest EUR 64 billion to achieve 50 GW in installed capacity by 2030

Romania financial support nuclear power projects Cernavoda 3 4

Romania pledges financial support for nuclear power projects Cernavodă 3, 4

09 June 2023 - The Romanian Government is backing state-owned Nuclearelectrica in the project for units 3 and 4 in the Cernavodă nuclear power plant

EU modernization fund Bulgaria Croatia Romania

EU pays out EUR 1.4 billion to Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania for green transition

09 June 2023 - The European Union's Modernization Fund has paid out EUR 2.4 billion for the seven member states, which is the joint largest disbursement

Lorkowski Carbon pricing condition electricity sector avoid EU carbon border tax

Lorkowski: Carbon pricing is condition for electricity sector to avoid EU’s carbon border tax

09 June 2023 - Market coupling and emissions trading systems are the prerequisites for an exemption from CBAM for electricity