Slovakia Approves Major Nuclear Reactor Deal with US, Tapping Westinghouse for Jaslovské Bohunice Expansion

Slovakia Forges Ahead with US Nuclear Partnership

Bratislava, Slovakia – On October 7, 2025, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his government has officially approved an agreement with the United States to build an additional nuclear reactor. The significant multi-billion-euro deal, revealed during an annual nuclear conference in Bratislava, marks a pivotal step in Slovakia's strategy to enhance its energy security and independence. The new reactor is slated for construction at the existing Jaslovské Bohunice nuclear plant in western Slovakia and will be fully owned by the state.

Project Details and Strategic Importance

The planned reactor is expected to have an output exceeding 1,000 megawatts (MW), with previous government plans from 2024 outlining a 1,200-megawatt unit for the site. The estimated cost of the project is substantial, ranging up to 15 billion euros ($17.5 billion). While specific details on the timeline for signing the intergovernmental agreement remain unclear, the American company Westinghouse Electric Company is widely anticipated to be the builder. Westinghouse has been in negotiations for a direct deal, a shift from Slovakia's initial plan for a public tender. The company has previously signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Slovak state-owned nuclear company JAVYS regarding the potential deployment of its advanced AP1000 reactors and AP300 small modular reactors (SMRs) in the country.

Slovakia's decision underscores its deep reliance on nuclear energy, which currently generates over 80% of the nation's electricity. This new project is part of a broader trend across Central and Eastern Europe to expand nuclear capacity, driven by goals of energy independence and security. Prime Minister Fico emphasized the importance of maintaining state control over such strategic infrastructure, stating it would be 'an important economic and energy instrument in the hands of the Slovak Republic'.

Existing Infrastructure and Future Outlook

Slovakia currently operates nuclear power plants at two sites: Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce. The Bohunice site, where the new reactor will be located, already houses two VVER-440 units operated by Slovenské Elektrárne. The country has five operational nuclear reactors and one, Mochovce Unit 4, under construction. The government had approved plans for a new unit at Bohunice in 2024, targeting an operational date of 2040.

The agreement with the United States and the potential involvement of Westinghouse's AP1000 technology, known for its passive safety systems, positions Slovakia to further solidify its nuclear energy leadership in the region. This move aligns with Slovakia's commitment to a stable and low-carbon energy supply, integrating into the growing fleet of AP1000 reactors in Europe.