K. Galek: Russia’s Involvement in Nuclear Source Construction Poses Risks to Slovakia and EU Energy Security

Bratislava – Prime Minister Robert Fico’s proposal for Russia to be involved in constructing a new nuclear facility poses a risk to the energy security of Slovakia and the EU, according to opposition MP Karol Galek (SaS) during a press conference on Wednesday. He criticized a recent amendment to the Energy Act that permits the Slovak government to directly select the investor for the new nuclear block, as reported by TASR.

“This is a reckless gamble with the energy security of Slovakia and, by extension, the entire European Union, given Slovakia’s role in the shared electricity market,” stated Karol Galek. He emphasized that the EU has been working to decrease dependency on Russian energy supplies. However, he did not elaborate on how Russian involvement in the construction, which is primarily set to be undertaken by American firm Westinghouse, could compromise energy security.

Galek expressed his concerns regarding the government’s plan to select the investor via direct assignment rather than through a competitive bidding process, which he believes would allow multiple investors to vie for the contract under optimal conditions for the state. He noted that the financial burden of such investments ultimately falls on the public through taxes or electricity tariffs.

Additionally, he raised concerns about the projected cost of the new nuclear block, which estimates suggest could be as high as 15 billion euros. He compared this figure to the planned completion of two blocks at the Czech Dukovany power plant, each expected to cost around eight billion euros. “I question the source of this discrepancy. The Koreans are supposed to use similar American technology, so clearly something is amiss,” Galek asserted.

The timeline for the new nuclear facility, which will exceed 1000 megawatts in capacity and is located in Jaslovské Bohunice, outlines that technology selection will happen in 2027, with a building permit anticipated in 2031, and construction commencing the following year. “I suspect that the government might not even select the investor in the end, and that it could be left to the next administration, which would ideally conduct a transparent selection process,” the MP concluded. (September 10)

“It is pure gambling with the energy security of Slovakia, but at the same time with the entire European Union, because Slovakia is part of the common electricity market.” Karol Galek