Electricity

Second unit of Krško nuclear power plant projected to come online in 2035

Photo: GEN Energija

Published

January 27, 2023

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

January 27, 2023

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

The second reactor in the Krško nuclear power plant in Slovenia could be in operation in 2035, according to its operator GEN energija. However, permits for the project are still pending. The company points out it is doing everything to speed up preparations.

The second nuclear reactor at the Krško power plant in Slovenia could be built and put into operation in 2035 if all procedures and the construction run on schedule, said Danijel Levičar, chief operating officer at state-owned energy company GEN energija.

Although there is still no final decision on whether Krško 2 unit will be built, Gen energija stressed that it is determined to manage the process so that things are ready to go ahead once the decision is known.

Given that Slovenia plans to abolish coal by 2033, about 60% of electricity demand will depend on imports unless new production capacities are established, Levičar told ePosavje TV.

GEN energija also pointed out that it would do everything in its power this year to speed up the preparations for the Krško 2 project implementation.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob recently announced that a referendum on the construction of the second nuclear power plant unit, to be held once the technology is selected. It should be organized in 2027 at the latest.

Last week the government issued environmental approval for the extension of the service life of the first reactor at the Krško NPP until 2043.

Estimated completion date was postponed

Since 2021, when GEN energija submitted a request to amend the national spatial plan, the activities were slow and the estimated date for completion was pushed back from 2033 to 2035.

Levičar: The next milestone will be a contract with the supplier of the reactor, which is planned for 2027

The next milestone will be a contract with the supplier of the reactor and it should be signed by 2027, said Levičar. He explained that according to experiences from other places, the preparation for the future plant’s large components takes about three years. The construction could take another five years, and the probationary period could begin in 2035, in his view.

GEN is also examining the possibility to deploy small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), but the technology is still in development and not commercially available.

Krško 2 is still awaiting necessary permits

The Ministry of Infrastructure issued an energy permit for Krško 2 in July 2021, but environmental organizations filed a lawsuit against it.

According to previous announcements, the construction of the second unit would cost between EUR 5 billion and EUR 6 billion. It is envisaged with 1.1 GW in capacity and 8.8 TWh in annual electricity production. The reactor’s projected lifespan is 60 years.

The Krško NPP is located near the border with Croatia, which supports the construction of the second unit. The company Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) is co-owned by Gen energija and Croatia’s government-controlled utility Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP).

In December, nuclear power accounted for 43.4% of Slovenia’s electricity production.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

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

Serbia EPS starts trial operation of its Petka PV plant on coal tailings dump

Serbia’s EPS starts trial operation of its Petka PV plant on coal tailings dump

14 July 2025 - EPS connected its first larger solar park, called Petka, to the grid. The new facility is in its coal complex Kostolac.

GGF grows direct lending energy transition energy security

GGF grows direct lending, committed to energy transition, energy security

11 July 2025 - In its Impact Report 2024, Green for Growth Fund outlined powering the green transition across Southeast Europe, the Caucasus and beyond

romania energy storage battery visual fan alview renovation contract

Visual Fan to install BESS facility of 65 MWh for Renovatio Trading

11 July 2025 - Visual Fan was hired to install a 65 MWh battery energy storage system for Renovatio Trading in Toplița in Romania’s Harghita county

china wind solar projects pipeline construction global energy monitor

Three quarters of global solar, wind capacity under construction is in China

11 July 2025 - All prospective projects in the world are for 4,484 GW in total capacity. China accounts for 1,302 GW, followed by Brazil, Australia, US