Russia, Slovakia sign memorandum on peaceful use of nuclear energy
MOSCOW. June 5 (Interfax) - Russia and Slovakia have signed a memorandum of understanding on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, an Interfax correspondent reported from the signing ceremony.
Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev and Slovakia's Minister of Economy Peter Ziga signed the memorandum in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini.
"The parties are interested in further expanding the current bilateral cooperation in the use of the peaceful atom. The document identifies areas of cooperation in service and modernization of Slovak NPPs, ensuring safe and uninterrupted supply of Russian nuclear fuel, implementation of promising projects for the construction and decommissioning of NPPs in the Slovak Republic, participation of Slovak organizations and companies in the supply of equipment and services for NPP construction projects implemented by Rosatom. The parties also agreed to develop training projects for the nuclear industry, share experiences and best practices," Rosatom said in a press release.
"Nuclear energy has been the major energy source of the Slovak Republic for half a century. More than 55% of Slovakia's energy is provided by VVER reactors. This agreement is planned to strengthen our mutual relations in the nuclear sphere, jointly implement projects in third countries, and strengthen the exchange of knowledge and experience. During our cooperation, more than one generation of high-class specialists has grown up, who pass on their knowledge, ensuring the energy security of Slovakia for the years ahead," said Rosatom's Likhachev.
Two units of the Bohunice NPP and two units of the Mochovce NPP annually produce about 15 billion kWh of electricity, about 55% of the total electricity generation in Slovakia, Rosatom said. Their combined capacity is around 1.7 GW.
Rusatom Service, a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, reached agreement in the summer of 2016 with Skoda JS a.s. and Slovenske elektrarne on technical support for the installation of the equipment of the primary circuit, as well as for pre-commissioning and the launch of the third and fourth units at Mochovce NPP. Rosatom had previously considered a role in the construction of a fifth unit at Bohunice NPP.