Minister Says Energy Needs to Be Met with Hydro, Nuclear Power
Slovenia intends to answer the challenge of providing for increasing electricity demand primarily by constructing hydro power plants and building a second nuclear reactor at Krsko, Economy Minister Andrej Vizjak has said.
Outlining the government's Resolution on Development Projects between 2007 and 2023 in Brezice on Friday, Vizjak said that continuing the construction of the chain of hydro power plants on the lower Sava, building a new generator at the Sostanj Coal-Fired Power Plant and building a second reactor of the Nuclear Power Plant Krsko were the main energy projects set down in the resolution.
The total worth of investment in energy projects, which also include upgrades to the electricity grid and a gas storage facility in Senovo (eastern), are estimated at EUR 3.4bn, he explained.
Three of the projects are earmarked for the eastern Slovenian region of Posavje: the hydro plants on the lower Sava, the second reactor at the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant and the Senovo gas storage facility.
The construction of the chain of five hydro power plants is estimated at EUR 459m, including EUR 350m for energy infrastructure and EUR 109m for other infrastructure. The chain is to produce 716 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, said Vizjak.
The second reactor at the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant is to be constructed by power producer Gen energija for EUR 2bn, said Vizjak, but did not specify a date. He said a second nuclear reactor at Krsko was one of the key answers to the electricity shortage in Slovenia, as it will provide cheap and reliable energy.
He added that the project hinges on finding a solution for a depository for low and medium radioactive waste. A location is expected to be approved in 2008, with the depository expected to begin operating in 2017.
The Senovo gas storage facility will be built to provide a backup source of fuel for the Termoelektrarna Brestanica thermal power plant. According to Vizjak, it will ensure that the power plant has a steady supply of gas in case of disruptions in coal supply.
Vizjak was speaking during the latest stop of the government's roadshow aimed at presenting the package 35 projects worth EUR 24m that were confirmed by the cabinet last week.
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