Skip to main content

Siting permit secured for new Slovak plant

 Jadrová Energetická Spoločnosť Slovenska (JESS) has submitted a request to the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ÚJD) for a siting permit for a new nuclear power plant near the existing Bohunice plant in Jaslovské Bohunice, a small village in the west of the Slovak Republic.

The existing Bohunice plant (Image: Slovenské Elektrárne)

JESS said it submitted the siting permit application - comprising almost 2500 pages - on 15 February along with the Requirements for the Quality of a Nuclear Facility and the Proposal for the Nuclear Facility Boundaries for the New Nuclear Resource Project (NJZ).


In addition to the requirements for the quality of the nuclear source and the design of the boundaries, the application also addresses the issues of the commissioning safety report, the project intent for the physical-technical solution, the method of handling radioactive waste and used nuclear fuel, the size of the emergency planning zone and the assessment of the impact on the environment, the company noted.


JESS - a joint venture between Slovak radioactive waste management company JAVYS (51%) and Czech utility ČEZ (49%) - was formed in December 2009 to build and operate a new nuclear power plant at Bohunice.


JESS is responsible for the preparation of the NJZ and, "as part of the activities of the pre-preparation stage and in accordance with the approved Business Plan for the NJZ Project for the period 2022-2025, processed the necessary documentation for the written application for a permit for the location of a nuclear facility". 


Under Slovak law, ÚJD has one year in which to make a decision on the application.


"Work on the NJZ Project will continue with activities according to the current schedule of the preliminary stage aimed at processing the documentation required for placement according to construction legislation," JESS said.


It added that it plans to apply for a construction licence for the plant at the end of 2025. According to the current schedule, construction work is scheduled to start in 2031.


Other ongoing activities will be focused on the preparation of the process of selecting a technology supplier, JESS said. "The technology of the nuclear part has not yet been selected, it is based on possible projects of global suppliers of nuclear technology so that any selected project meets the required prerequisites".


It added: "Regardless of the above, work continues on incorporating the NJZ Project into spatial plans, connection to the electricity system, solving local aspects such as the concept of water management, geology, or the transport of oversized components."


Slovakia has four nuclear reactors - Mochovce units 1 and 2 and Bohunice units 3 and 4 - in commercial operation, generating half of its electricity. Mochovce unit 3 was connected to the grid ealier this month, while unit 4 is under construction.


Plans for the new fifth Bohunice unit (also referred to as Bohunice V3) were originally announced in April 2008.


"Upgrade Your Skills with the Future of Energy: 

Enroll Now in Our Online Short Course on Next-Generation Nuclear Technology 

 & Renewable Energy Technology"

March Intake ongoing Register here
Email:info@alphaxioms.com
Tel: +254798197599
website: Alphaxioms.com
Twitter:  Alphaxioms
LinkedIn: alphaxioms



Source:(worldnuclearnews)

Comments

Hot Topics 🔥

Inside the Geothermal Startup Mind: The Strategy, Funding & Sacrifices Behind Teverra’s Growth

Inside a Geothermal Startup’s Mind: Strategy, Funding, Ethics, and the Brutal Race to Commercialize This interview was done by Robert Buluma on behalf of Alphaxioms  Image:  The Interviewee, Dr.  Hamed Soroush is the Founder and President at Teverra  There’s a certain kind of silence that exists inside fast-growing startups. Not the quiet of peace, but the quiet of pressure . It’s the silence of teams racing to commercialize before competitors arrive. The silence of founders balancing mission and survival. The silence of a clean energy industry that desperately needs success stories… but is still learning how to measure them. In this one-on-one interview, we explore what it really takes to build a geothermal-driven clean energy company in today’s market, from strategic decisions and funding discipline to leadership, ethics, and the painful sacrifices behind growth. 1)  Vision & Strategy: “Speed Is Everything” Q:   Teverra  has grown rapidly, but co...

Geothermal Power Play: Well Engineering Partners Takes Over Operations as Sproule ERCE Sharpens Advisory Focus

The geothermal energy sector is heating up literally and figuratively and a recent strategic move is set to accelerate progress in sustainable energy production. By: Robert Buluma Effective January 1, 2026, Well Engineering Partners (WEP) acquired the operational and production-focused geothermal activities from Sproule ERC (formerly associated with Veegeo). This acquisition marks a smart realignment of strengths in the booming geothermal market, where clean, reliable baseload energy is increasingly vital for the global energy transition. Imagine harnessing the Earth's natural heat to power homes, industries, and cities without the intermittency of solar or wind. Geothermal energy does exactly that, providing constant output from deep underground reservoirs. But turning that potential into reality requires specialized expertise from initial resource assessment to long-term well maintenance. That's where this deal shines: it allows each company to double down on what they do b...

Europe's Geothermal Transition: Why Repurposing Oil Wells Isn't as Simple as It Sounds

Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Applications Insights from Our Interview with Christi on EGS, Storage, and Europe’s Energy Transition Christi is a Geothermal Resource Engineer and PhD Researcher, specializing in deep geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, well repurposing (especially converting old oil/gas wells for geothermal use), Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE). What if the thousands of oil and gas wells scattered across Europe could become the backbone of the geothermal transition? In our recent interview with Christi, a leading researcher involved in the TRANSGEO project, we explored the technical, economic, and regulatory realities of repurposing hydrocarbon wells for geothermal applications , particularly for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), thermal storage, and district heating integration. From case studies like Groß Schönebeck to regional analysis in Lausitz, Christi offered a grounded and technical perspective o...

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead Equipment Amid Kenya's Green Energy Push In a significant move to bolster its geothermal energy infrastructure, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has issued an open international tender for the supply of specialized geothermal wellhead equipment. The tender, referenced as KGN-GDD-025-2026, focuses on expanding gate valves and adaptor flanges—critical components used in geothermal wellheads to manage high-pressure steam and ensure safe, efficient energy extraction. Released in January 2026, this procurement opportunity underscores KenGen's ongoing commitment to expanding Kenya's renewable energy capacity, particularly in the geothermal sector, which already accounts for a substantial portion of the country's power generation. Tender Details and Requirements The tender invites sealed bids from eligible candidates worldwide, emphasizing an open competitive process to attract qualified ...

CTR Launches American Data Power: 600 MW Geothermal Complex to Fuel America’s AI & Hyperscale Data Boom at Salton Sea

The recent announcement from  Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) marks a significant step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the U.S. energy landscape:  providing reliable, clean, baseload power for the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure. On January 29, 2026, CTR launched American Data Power, a new subsidiary dedicated to delivering a utility-scale 600 MW energy complex in California's Salton Sea Geothermal Field. This initiative advances the next phase of CTR's flagship Hell’s Kitchen development, positioning it as one of the largest baseload renewable energy projects in the country. Geothermal energy stands out in the renewable mix because it delivers continuous, 24/7 power unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather conditions. The proposed complex targets a capacity factor exceeding 95%, ensuring high operational reliability. This makes it ideal for the constant, high-load demands of hyperscale data centers...

Vallourec-XGS Alliance Unlocks 3-GW Geothermal Buildout in Western US

Vallourec + XGS Energy : The Tubular Alliance That Could Turn Next-Gen Geothermal Into a 3-GW Reality Across the Western U.S. By: Robert Buluma Image:Vallourec-XGS Alliance Unlocks 3-GW Geothermal Buildout in Western US There are moments in the energy transition when a “press release” quietly reveals something far bigger than a partnership. It reveals a  supply chain war being won before the market even realizes the battle has begun. On January 28, 2026, Vallourec one of the world’s most dominant names in premium tubular solutions—announced a strategic supply chain partnership with XGS Energy, the next-generation geothermal developer building what may become one of the most aggressive geothermal project pipelines in North America: a 3-gigawatt commercial pipeline across the western United States. And this isn’t a distant dream. This is happening now—because XGS is preparing to begin construction this year on its headline project: a 150 MW geothermal facility in New Mexico backed ...

The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet: Why Geothermal Exploration Is the Industry’s Greatest Risk

Exploration Risk: The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet By:  Robert Buluma Image credit: Kane Watikson on LinkedIn  Geothermal energy is often described as the sleeping giant of the clean energy transition  constant, weather-independent, capable of delivering 24/7 baseload power without the intermittency that defines solar and wind. Yet despite this extraordinary promise, geothermal remains underdeveloped in most parts of the world. The reason is not lack of heat. It is not lack of demand. It is not even lack of technology and not even  FINANCE ,  Whilst many will throw that policy card, but Alphaxioms is already future proofing that .  The real barrier lies several kilometers beneath our feet  in uncertainty. Exploration risk is the defining challenge of geothermal energy. Unlike wind turbines that can measure wind speeds before construction, or solar farms that can predict output from sunlight data, geothermal developers must make multimillion-d...

7,000 Feet Deep, 338°F: The Game-Changing Sensor Revolutionizing Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Breakthrough in Geothermal Monitoring: Berkeley Lab's High-Temperature Seismometer Powers the Future of Enhanced Geothermal Systems By: Robert Buluma Image: Cape Station, Fervo Owned Geothermal Station  Geothermal energy has long been valued as a reliable, clean, and renewable source of power. It draws heat from deep within the Earth to generate electricity with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Traditional geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot water or steam reservoirs, which restricts development to specific volcanic or tectonically active regions. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), however, represent a game-changing evolution. EGS engineers artificial reservoirs in hot, otherwise impermeable rock formations found almost anywhere with sufficient subsurface heat. By injecting fluid under pressure to create and propagate fractures, EGS dramatically expands the geographic reach and scalability of geothermal power, offering the potential for 24/7, c...

Unlocking Africa's Hidden Power: New Zealand and the AU Ignite the Geothermal Revolution

In a landmark diplomatic moment that signals brighter prospects for Africa's clean energy future,  H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, formally received the Letters of Credentials from H.E. Ms. Olivia Owen, the newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand to Ethiopia and the African Union, on February 4, 2026. This ceremony marks not just the beginning of a new ambassadorial tenure but a renewed surge of momentum in one of the most promising renewable energy partnerships on the continent: the AU–New Zealand geothermal cooperation. Amid Africa's urgent push to harness its vast geothermal resources—particularly along the East African Rift System—New Zealand's world-renowned expertise in geothermal development stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable, reliable, and affordable power. New Zealand, a global leader in geothermal energy, draws nearly 20% of its electricity from the Earth's natural heat. Its pioneering approaches to exploration...

Green Therma and GFZ Potsdam Launch Breakthrough Geothermal Demonstration

Turning Deep Earth Heat Into a Scalable Climate Solution: Green Therma and GFZ Potsdam Launch Breakthrough Geothermal Demonstration By: Robert Buluma Published on January 17, 2026 In the quest for reliable, carbon-neutral energy, geothermal heat stands out as one of the most promising yet underutilized resources. Unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather, geothermal energy draws from the Earth's constant internal heat — a source that's available 24/7, year-round. However, traditional geothermal systems often face high costs, geological risks, and significant heat loss when extracting energy from great depths. Enter Green Therma, a Danish innovator, and the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ (Germany's leading earth sciences research center). In early 2026, they're launching a groundbreaking demonstration at the renowned geothermal research site in Groß Schönebeck, north of Berlin. This project marks the world's first real-world installation of Green Therma's pate...