Fico: Nuclear and Hydro Power to Satisfy Higher Demand, Wind Farms Not Needed

Bratislava, 7 July (TASR) - In order to cover the massive increase in electricity consumption, Slovakia needs large-scale strategic energy sources such as nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has said in an interview for TASR, adding that he continues to oppose investing in wind farms. "Slovakia doesn't need wind power; we need large-scale sources, and that means nuclear and hydro power. For example, there's Gabcikovo [hydro-power plant], which produces 10 percent of all electricity in Slovakia. We already generate and will continue to generate more than 70 percent from nuclear power. We're approaching the 80-percent mark in electricity. However, as some sources will be phased out in the future due to their age, we want to replace them with new ones," stated Fico, adding that people needn't worry about Slovak villages being surrounded by turbines, as seen in Austria. According to Fico, increased demand for electricity is also being driven by new investments. "There's the new Volvo plant, which will be rolling out electric cars only. There's a plant being built in Surany to produce batteries for electric cars, and those batteries will need to be charged with electricity. There's talk about data centres, and there's also talk about high electricity consumption in terms of artificial intelligence," stated Fico. jrg/df