Slovenia Plans Referendum on Second Reactor at Krško Nuclear Power Plant

(Patria) - The Slovenian government, which is considering the construction of a second reactor at its only nuclear power plant "Krško", will ask citizens about it via a referendum.

- We all agreed that the path to a decarbonised society goes through renewable energy sources on one hand, and nuclear energy on the other.

For such an important project, in terms of costs and because it concerns the future of the country, we must reach a consensus - Prime Minister Robert Golob told reporters after meetings with all political parties.

- If party leaders reach an agreement, approval from nearly two million voters is now needed in a referendum, which will therefore be held in the second half of the year - Golob stated.

Former Prime Minister Janez Janša, head of the conservative opposition party SDS, welcomed the decision, believing it will likely speed up the process of building the second reactor.

In 2021, authorities issued a permit for a new reactor which, according to the Prime Minister, could have a maximum capacity of 2,400 megawatts.

French group EDF announced in November that it had presented "technical-commercial" proposals to Slovenia for a possible construction of an EPR-type reactor, while American Westinghouse and South Korean KHNP have also been mentioned.

The new block is expected to strengthen the "Krško" plant near the border with Croatia, which jointly manages it with Slovenia, meeting 20 percent of Slovenia's electricity needs and 15 percent of Croatia's needs.

In operation since 1983, the unique Westinghouse-type reactor was originally scheduled to end its lifespan in 2023, but it received permits to extend its operation for another 20 years.