Even if the nuclear option wins the upcoming referendum, this does not mean that the issue of building the second reactor in the Krško Nuclear Power Plant will be solved. No, the referendum will only decide, as Prime Minister Robert Golob claims, whether to go ahead with the extremely expensive studies on the feasibility of nuclear power.
“With the upcoming referendum, we want to find out whether this (nuclear) option is something that our population believes in. We will decide on the concrete feasibility of the project in 2027,” the Prime Minister said.
He also added: “And this referendum is exactly that: it will help us see whether Slovenia should start actively preparing by investing in the documentation of the project, by investing in the research activity, as well as in the human resources and development that must take place before the final decision is taken, and whether we will invest significant resources in excess of 100 million euros in this,” the Prime Minister said at yesterday’s consultation. In the event of a positive outcome of the referendum, the government will table a bill on the preparation of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant – the second reactor project, with the Prime Minister himself expected to lead the writing of the bill.
The media outlet Forbes reports that a “YES” in the referendum would only give GenEnergy the green light to proceed with the analysis, siting procedures and other preparatory activities, which the Prime Minister says will cost more than 100 million euros.
The referendum question will be: “Do you support the implementation of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant – the second reactor project, which, together with other low-carbon sources, will ensure a stable electricity supply?”
Constant delays
Countries around Slovenia are rapidly building or investing in nuclear power. As Slovenia is currently only debating the continuation and generous financing of feasibility studies for the construction project, there have been public speculations in the past that the Prime Minister is deliberately delaying the second reactor project. The interest of the “solar” lobby, which advocates the first scenario of the National and Climate Plan (Nacionalni in podnebni načrt – NEPN), which does not include nuclear energy, is said to be the true reason for the delays behind the scenes.
As Prime Minister Golob pointed out on Wednesday, the final decision on the project may not be taken until the year 2027, or even 2028.
We asked the Prime Minister’s Office why the process of siting and carrying out feasibility analyses for the construction of the second reactor for the Krško Nuclear Power Plant would cost more than 100 million euros. We will publish the answer when we receive it.
Ž. K.
