Slovakia connects a new nuclear reactor to its power grid
The Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant has connected its fourth reactor to Slovakia's electricity grid. The connection of the new VVER-440 unit began on 15 October, when the reactor was connected to the grid at 20% of its capacity, a level that will be gradually increased until it reaches 100%. As a result, the country will have five reactors in operation, providing 77% of its electricity.
Construction of the first two VVER-440 units at the Mochovce plant, in Slovakia, began in 1982. The first two reactors entered service in 1998 and 1999, respectively. The project to complete units 3 and 4, whose construction had been halted in the 1990s, was resumed in the 2010s. Mochovce 3 entered commercial operation in October 2023.
Mochovce 4, with a capacity of 471 MW, will suply around 14% of the country's electricity consumption
A gradual start-up
The connection of the fourth reactor followed the achievement of criticality on 6 August this year, after a series of tests and checks to verify that all equipment was operating under the highest safety conditions. The milestone involved the synchronisation and connection of Mochovce 4's first turbogenerator. Subsequently, the same procedure will be carried out with the second turbogenerator, followed by tests and checks at each power level before production is increased in stages. In the final test, the reactor will operate at full power for 144 hours without interruption
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that "Slovakia is not only self-sufficient in electricity production, but will also be able to export a large share of this energy from January". Fico estimated that, from early 2027, the country could export between 400 and 500 MW to international markets.
Slovakia expects to export between 400 and 500 MW to international markets from early 2027
Nuclear power in Slovakia
Slovakia has five nuclear reactors that generate more than 60% of its total electricity. In addition to the other three reactors at Mochovce, there are two at Bohunice, which entered commercial operation in 1984 and 1985, respectively. Once Mochovce's fourth unit is operating at full capacity, Slovakia will become one of the countries with the largest share of nuclear power in its energy mix, accounting for more than 77% of total electricity consumption.
The Slovak Government also plans to build a third unit at the Bohunice Nuclear Power and has explored small modlar reactor technology in the country.
Source: World Nuclear News
Cover image: Slovenské Elektrárne
