The need for a new nuclear power plant is based on the requirements for ensuring the energy security of the Slovak Republic (SR) in the field of electricity generation, which is defined in the current Energy Policy of SR (2014). Implementation of the new nuclear power plant will enable to meet the commitments accepted by the Slovak Republic in the area of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring a reliable supply of electricity from its own controlled resources for the needs of the economy and citizens. The functions of all spheres of economy and living conditions of the population depend on availability of electricity.
In the countries of European Union (EU) there is a clear correlation between gross domestic product (GDP) and electricity consumption per capita. In all forecasts of the development of production and consumption balance the GDP growth towards the EU average is expected. In the near future it will be necessary to ensure adequate new sources of electricity as a replacement of current production sources that are approaching the end of their lifetime. In the case of thermal (coal) power plants it is expected that the share of electricity production in Slovakia will decrease in the coming period. This will be caused by progressive decommissioning of the existing plants, which are approaching the end of their lifetime, and by a limited construction of new plants using fossil fuels, whereas it is desirable to favour low-carbon electricity production.
In the case of renewable energy sources the increase of their share on total electricity production could be expected. Due to their highly variable character of production these power plants are not suitable for covering electricity baseload in conditions of Slovakia. At newly planned hydropower plants are considered mainly to be used to provide regulatory services.
In this context, the new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice site will provide one of the fundamental components of the concept of multi-source low-carbon energy mix of Slovakia. It is not the option of excluding other low-carbon sources of electricity the development of which is expected to continue in the context of the Energy Policy of the Slovak Republic.
If the construction of the new nuclear power plant is not implemented, Slovakia may face a real danger of lack of electricity power sources to cover its own consumption around the year 2035. The lack of electricity in the near future is not possible to replace by other low-carbon energy sources and the future deficit would have to be covered primarily by import. Dependence on electricity import thus presents a direct threat to the energy security of the country.
A reliable and safe source of electrical energy
The new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice site presents is reliable and safe source of electricity. The project of the new nuclear power takes into the account the following issues: the relevant international commitments of the Slovak Republic in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the energy demands of SR established by competent national concepts, the expected development of consumption and production of electricity in the Slovak Republic, the efficient use of available infrastructure of Jaslovské Bohunice site.
Preparation of the new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice site complies with all relevant strategic and conceptual documents of the Slovak Republic, in particular with the Energy Security Strategy of the Slovak Republic (2008) and the Energy Policy (2014). Preparation of the new nuclear power plant is also in line with the guidelines and documents of the European Union, related to low-carbon energy, energy security and competitiveness, as well as to all the commitments of the Slovak Republic resulting from those documents.
The successfully completed 2016 NPP environmental impact assessment process (EIA) is followed by the nuclear installation (NPP) siting process according to the Atomic Energy Act (AZ).
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Notice on the initiation of administrative proceedings UJD SR 1471-2023 – issuance of a permit for the placement of JZ in the premises (0.4 MB)After several years of efforts by JESS to change the legislative environment, on 12/10/2021 the AZ amendment came into force, which allows to start the process of obtaining a permit for the location of a thermal power station without knowledge of a specific project by applying the so-called envelope approach with defined boundary conditions of the placed structure, which will be in accordance with legal requirements. The amendment of the related implementing decrees of the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ÚJD SR) is at the stage of negotiation by the advisory bodies of the Slovak government.
By starting the procedure for obtaining the permit of the ÚJD SR for the location of the JZ, the validity of the Final Opinion from the EIA process is preserved, the value of the JZ project is maintained and the prerequisites for its further continuation are created. The zoning process will follow according to the Building Act, or Act on Construction and Act on Spatial Planning.
Work on the NJZ Project continues with activities within the preparatory stage in accordance with the main milestones listed in the Business Plan for the NJZ Project in the Jaslovské Bohunice location for the period 2019-2025.
Submission of an application for the issuance of a permit for the location of the JZ according to the AZ
Jadrová energetická spoločnosť Slovenska, a. s. (hereinafter referred to as “JESS, a. s.”) on 15 On February 2, 2023, the Office of Nuclear Supervision of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter referred to as “the Office”) delivered an application with stamp no. 2023/086 on the issuance of a permit for the location of a nuclear facility pursuant to § 5 par. 3 letters o) Act no. 541/2004 Coll. on the peaceful use of nuclear energy (Atomic Act) and on the amendment of certain laws as amended (hereinafter referred to as the “Atomic Act”).
The Office hereby, in accordance with § 18 par. 3 of Act No. 71/1967 Coll. on administrative procedure (administrative procedure) as amended (hereinafter referred to as “administrative procedure”) informed the participants of the procedure that on 15 02. 2023 was according to § 18 par. 2 of the administrative order, initiated administrative proceedings no. UJD SR 1471-2023. Information on the initiation of administrative proceedings no. UJD SR 1471-2023 was in accordance with the provisions of § 3 par. 6 of the administrative order published on the official board of the office, on the Central Official Electronic Board (CUET) on the Central Portal of Public Administration at www.slovensko.sk and on the electronic official board of the office located on the website of the office at www.ujd.gov.sk under no. UJD SR 1471-2023 dated 06. 03. 2023.
Pursuant to § 8 par. 10 of the Atomic Act, the office will deliver all documents to the affected participants in the proceedings, including the decision to issue a permit, invitation, notice, summons or other documents in the proceedings of UJD SR 1471-2023 by public decree. For the above reason, we recommend regularly monitoring the electronic official board of the ÚJD SR located on the website of the ÚJD SR at www.ujd.gov.sk and the Central Official Electronic Board (CUET) at www.slovensko.sk