Sakova: Slovakia Has Knowledge and Infrastructure to Usher in New Nuclear Tech

Bratislava, June 4 (TASR) - Slovakia has the knowledge and infrastructure to become a center for the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies important for the entire EU, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) stated after her working visit to Italy and the signing of an agreement to establish a joint Slovak-Italian venture called the Center for the Development of Spent Nuclear Fuel Utilization (CVP). The enterprise will focus on the development and deployment of an advanced modular reactor cooled by liquid lead and capable of multiple uses of spent nuclear fuel. „We have the know-how and infrastructure to become a center for the development and implementation of these technologies, which are important for the entire European Union. Moreover, the issue of nuclear fuel development and distribution will be one of the key questions of the future, especially in light of the negative consequences of the EU’s proposed plan to end imports of energy from the Russian Federation," said Sakova. CVP is a joint project of the research and development company NewCleo and Slovak partners VUJE and the Nuclear and Decommissioning Company (JAVYS). The CVP company, with 51 percent Slovak ownership through JAVYS, will focus on the development and deployment of innovative fourth-generation modular reactors (AMRs) in Slovakia. The first phase of the project — a feasibility study — will be fully financed by NewCleo, according to the Economy Ministry. „Not only the Italian government has understood what Slovakia has been saying for a long time — that the green transition and decarbonization must not lead to a threat to European competitiveness. Thanks to nuclear power plants, Slovakia is among the countries with one of the cleanest energy mixes in the world. Furthermore, thanks to our extensive expertise in decommissioning nuclear facilities and handling spent fuel and radioactive waste, JAVYS is ready to share its experience in preparing the Italian national repository," the minister added. mf