MH Invest: Claims of €85 Mn Battery Plan Investment Not True

Bratislava, 7 April (TASR) - Information about investments of €85 million by the state-owned MH Invest in the construction of a battery plant near Surany (Nitra region) is not true, the company claimed in response to statements by the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS). "Within the infrastructure created by the strategic Surany Industrial Park project, several major energy projects are being gradually implemented in line with the memorandum of understanding concluded between MH Invest, Zapadoslovenska distribucna and Slovenska elektrizacna prenosova sustava. These are aimed at building transformation capacity exceeding 300 MVA, which will significantly improve electricity supply, network stability and contribute to strengthening the performance of the power system not only in the town of Surany and the village of Banov, but also in the wider Nitra region," MH Invest said. MH Invest underlined that within these projects it acts as a partner, not an investor in the construction of facilities and equipment needed for the development of the transmission or distribution system. Information about investments of €85 million by MH Invest is not true. The memorandum of understanding represents a framework for cooperation between the contracting parties in preparing and coordinating the development of the transmission and distribution system so that it is aligned with the gradual construction of the strategic park. Earlier in the day, SaS criticised the preparation phase of the battery plant project near Surany. Slovakia would benefit from a battery plant, but the way the entire preparation and implementation process is being carried out is not appropriate, according to MP Karol Galek (SaS). At their press conference, the liberals called on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to provide accurate information on the status of the investment, or for Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a nominee of the Slovak National Party) to say that the investment will not go ahead. Galek added that, according to the memorandum of understanding related to the battery plant investment, MH Invest is to pay a total of €85 million to Slovenska energeticka a prenosova sustava and Zapadoslovenska distribucna in order to be connected to the grid. mf