SaS: Fico Siphoning Off Nuclear Source Construction Without Signing Any Contract

Bratislava, 28 July (TASR) – Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has not even signed a contract for the construction of a new nuclear source in Jaslovske Bohunice (Trnava region) and is already siphoning off the new nuclear power plant, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party expert in energy Karol Galek told a press conference on Monday. He criticised a €15 million tender for financial consultancy services organised by the state-owned Nuclear and Decommissioning Company (JAVYS) in connection with the construction of the new nuclear facility. "And I want to ask why we are going to waste €15 million to find out how we can finance the nuclear power plant in a situation when [Economy] Minister Sakova has submitted an amendment to the Energy Act which clearly says that the new nuclear plant will be funded from the balancing regime contract," Galek emphasised. He expects that everything will be handled in the absence of any competition and tendering procedure, with the government simply making a decision and choosing an investor for a 30-year contract paid by taxpayers. The prime minister is thus wasting millions of euros before the construction of the new nuclear has even commenced, he added. In a post on a social network on Sunday (27 July), the premier emphasised that the new nuclear facility in Jaslovske Bohunice was vital for Slovakia, explaining that the intense living requirements and ambitious climate targets cannot be attained without nuclear energy. jrg/mcs/ko