Nuclear energy in Slovenia: history and prospects

Slovenia is a Central European country whose electricity production comes from a variety of energy sources. According to 2021 data, electricity production in Slovenia is divided between hydropower (27.7%), thermal power (largely from lignite, 33.1%) and nuclear power (36.2%), with non-hydropower renewables accounting for a relatively small share (3%) [1].

Slovenia’s electricity production is largely based on nuclear power, with the Krško nuclear power plant and its pressurized water reactor. The country plans to build a second reactor and develop innovative reactor technologies to ensure energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Slovenia’s participation in international initiatives and research programs testifies to its commitment to developing new nuclear technologies for the future.

History of nuclear power generation in Slovenia

The history of nuclear power in Slovenia began in the 1960s with the planning and construction of the Krško nuclear power plant, located near the town of the same name [2]. The plant was built in cooperation with Croatia, then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, like Slovenia. Construction work began in 1975, and the reactor was commissioned in 1983 [3].

Nuclear reactor technologies used in Slovenia

The Krško nuclear power plant is equipped with a 696 MWe Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR) [4]. Pressurized water reactors are the most widespread nuclear reactor technology in the world, using ordinary water as moderator and coolant and enriched uranium as fuel [5]. The Krško plant is Slovenia’s only nuclear facility, supplying around 36% of the country’s electricity [1].

Innovative power plant and reactor projects

The Slovenian government has expressed interest in building a second reactor at the Krško nuclear power plant to ensure energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions [6]. A 2020 report by the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure indicated that the country planned to build a new nuclear reactor by 2030, to replace the current reactor, whose life has been extended to 2043 [7]. However, no final decision has yet been taken on the reactor technology or the international partners for the project.

Slovenia is also one of the countries interested in innovative nuclear reactor technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and molten salt reactors (MSRs). Although Slovenia has not yet announced any concrete projects in these fields, its participation in international initiatives and research programs shows its interest in developing these technologies [8].

For example, Slovenia is a member of the Generation IV International Forum, a multilateral initiative aimed at developing advanced nuclear reactors for the 21st century [9]. Forum members collaborate on the research and development of safer, more efficient and sustainable nuclear technologies, including SMRs and MSRs.

List of nuclear reactors in Slovenia

Reactor nameTechModelMweTWhConstructionStartGridConnecLoad factor
KRSKOPWRWH2LP632200.03march 1975oct. 198186.0%

Countries producing nuclear power

  1. United States: 94,718 GW
  2. France: 61,370 GW
  3. China: 53,170 GW
  4. Russia: 27,727 GW
  5. South Korea: 24,489 GW
  6. Japan: 16,321 GW
  7. Canada: 13,624 GW
  8. Ukraine: 13,107 GW

References