Nuclear Energy Alliances: Slovenia and France's Ambitious Goals
Slovenia and France are on a path to deepen their nuclear energy collaboration, marking a significant step towards a sustainable energy future. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and French President Emmanuel Macron recently formalized this intent by signing a Declaration of Intent to Foster Long-Term Cooperation in Nuclear Energy. Notably, Électricité de France (EDF) is among the top contenders vying to supply technology for a proposed new unit at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant.
In a press briefing following the signing, Golob acknowledged France's prominent role in the nuclear energy sector, stating, "France is a European nuclear superpower, a nation that is building its carbon-neutral future largely on nuclear energy advancements." This assessment reflects the growing importance of nuclear energy in combating climate change and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Golob elaborated on Slovenia's perspective regarding future energy projects, emphasizing that if Slovenia proceeds with the construction of a second unit at the Krško facility, it will evaluate options from two equally reputable providers. This decision wouldn't merely hinge on the existing American technology from Westinghouse but would also include French advanced technologies. He asserted, "Having two equally skilled providers allows us to select a solution that not only benefits Slovenia in the long run but also enhances the project’s regional significance."
The Prime Minister reiterated, "Many argue that building a new nuclear facility might be too ambitious for Slovenia. This is true to some extent. However, we envision this new power plant as a regional asset, designed to address the electricity needs of the broader Southeastern European region, one of the compelling advantages French suppliers can offer."
Meanwhile, Macron articulated France's vision for a more profound relationship in regards to nuclear energy. "We seek a genuine strategic partnership rather than just a commercial one. Our goal is to empower Slovenia to become a self-sufficient producer – not just of energy, but also of crucial elements such as turbines and solutions for managing radioactive waste. Furthermore, we aspire to integrate Slovenia more effectively into the regional and European energy framework, driving up competitiveness along the way. Our collective vision is clear: to achieve decarbonized and competitive energy production that benefits all involved."
Contextual Background
Slovenia’s JEK2 initiative aims to develop either a single or double-unit nuclear power plant, with a capacity reaching up to 2,400 megawatts, situated adjacent to the existing Krško Plant, which has a pressurized water reactor outputting 696 megawatts of electricity, accounting for approximately one-third of the nation’s power supply. The Krško facility is co-owned and operated by Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško, which is a partnership between Croatia's Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP Group) and Slovenia's GEN Energija.
In May last year, the JEK2 project team, after conversations with potential nuclear technology suppliers—including EDF, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), and Westinghouse—put forward estimated costs for reactors of varying sizes. The projected expenses range from €9.314 billion (around $10.1 billion) for a 1,000-megawatt unit to €15.371 billion for a 1,650-megawatt plant. However, in January, KHNP withdrew from the bidding process, a decision attributed to an internal evaluation of the current business landscape coupled with a shift in their strategic focus.
Later in March, technical feasibility studies undertaken by both Westinghouse and EDF confirmed that their reactors—Westinghouse’s AP1000 and EDF’s EPR and EPR1200—were suitable for the JEK2 site, paving the way for further collaboration.
Originally, Slovenia intended to hold a referendum regarding the approval of a new nuclear project in November 2024, but this was scrapped amid political debates surrounding the process. Prime Minister Golob affirmed his commitment to organizing a referendum before any final investment decision, which is anticipated to occur in 2028.
Now, as Slovenia navigates these pivotal decisions regarding nuclear energy, one must ponder the broader implications of such developments. Are we witnessing a necessary shift towards regional energy independence, or are there hidden pitfalls in this nuclear narrative? Join the discussion below—what are your thoughts on Slovenia's nuclear aspirations?
