SNS Rejects €465-million Contract for Renewing Gabcikovo Turbines

Bratislava, 31 August (TASR) - The junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) doesn't agree with the €465-million contract for reconstructing and replacing turbines at the Gabcikovo hydro-electric power plant, TASR has learnt from party's press release on Monday. According to SNS, the price is too high. The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) and extra-parliamentary Democrats have also criticised the increase in price compared to the original estimates, as well as the procurement process. "SNS is convinced that the contract in question can be carried out at a cost almost a third lower. The Slovak National Party will therefore do its best to ensure that the new minister cancels this tender and explains to the premier [Robert Fico (Smer-SD)] that, although the reconstruction is of vital importance to Gabcikovo, it mustn't be ruinous for [state-run water-management construction company] Vodohospodarska vystavba," stated the party. According to SNS, Vodohospodarska vystavba can't afford to spend €465 million on repairing the Gabcikovo turbines. The party also pointed out that Vodohospodarska vystavba recently awarded a contract worth €137 million to the state-run Slovak Water Management Company (SVP) and an Italian firm. According to SNS, such a financial burden could seriously jeopardise the company's financial management over the next six years. MP Tamara Stohlova (PS) stated that the selection of a contractor for renewing the turbines at Gabcikovo had been pending for Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) since 2023, with the price having risen by more than €200 million in the meantime. According to her, such a huge increase during a period of consolidation naturally raises suspicions. The extra-parliamentary Democrats party has also called for an immediate explanation of the price increase, as well as details of the public procurement process itself. At a press conference on Monday, Taraba defended the increase in the cost of repairing the Gabcikovo power station, citing inflation as well as the gradual deterioration of the power station's condition. "The estimated value of the contract was based on the technical condition that existed at the time. This increase was, on one hand, due to the fact that the start of the modernisation was being delayed and additional technical facilities were being included in the modernisation programme. The second factor is the rise in prices," said Taraba, adding that another reason is that the contractor offered innovative features, which were approved. am/df