'Slovakia' Convenes Round-table Talks on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plant

Bratislava, 24 July (TASR) - Slovakia will have the largest share of electricity generated from nuclear power in the world after the start-up of the fourth unit of the nuclear power plant in Mochovce (Nitra region), meaning that Slovakia should be the last country in the world to need a new nuclear power source, stated leader of the opposition 'Slovakia' party Igor Matovic at a press conference on Thursday, adding that the party is convening a round-table discussion for opposition parties to discuss the construction of a new nuclear source by Westinghouse. "Slovakia next year should be the very last country to build a nuclear power plant to ensure some stability on the grid," said Matovic. "We have a surplus of electricity, we export electricity. In other words, if Slovakia were to build a new nuclear power plant, we would be exporting all the electricity it would produce," he pointed out. According to Matovic, the new nuclear unit will put Slovakia another €50 billion in debt, which includes the construction costs, the expected overpriced construction, interest on the loan and an increase in the risk premium for Slovakia. Given a projected cost of electricity generation of €120 per megawatt-hour, the new nuclear unit will produce a loss every year. Matovic stressed the need for an opposition round-table discussion on the topic. The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) have already reportedly responded to the invitation, and, according to the 'Slovakia' party, have expressed their willingness to attend. am/df