en.Wedoany.com Reported - Slovenské elektrárne, under the supervision of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic (ÚJD SR), has commenced loading nuclear fuel into the reactor of Unit 4 at the Mochovce nuclear power plant.
Fuel loading marks the transition of the unit from the construction phase to active commissioning. Subsequent steps will include pre-criticality tests, the first controlled fission reaction, and gradual power escalation leading up to grid connection. ÚJD SR issued the authorization for commissioning Unit 4 at Mochovce after verifying that all legislative conditions and technical requirements were met. Marta Žiaková, Chairperson of ÚJD SR, stated that regulatory inspectors assessed the unit's readiness for active testing by reviewing submitted documentation and reports on inactive test results, as well as through daily on-site inspections during construction, equipment installation, functional testing, and personnel readiness verification. A high level of nuclear safety remains an absolute priority during physical and power startup tests.
The Mochovce nuclear power plant comprises four units. The first two 471 MWe VVER units began construction in 1982 and were commissioned in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Units 3 and 4 started construction in 1986, were halted in 1992, and resumed in 2009, facing multiple delays. Units 3 and 4, with a design life of approximately 60 years, will supply about 26% of Slovakia's total electricity consumption. Slovakia also operates two VVER-440 units at the Jaslovské Bohunice NPP. After Unit 4 is commissioned, nuclear power will account for 77.5% of Slovakia's domestic electricity mix, surpassing France to become the leader in nuclear dependency in Europe and solidifying its position as a net electricity exporter.
Branislav Strýček, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Slovenské elektrárne, stated that Mochovce Unit 4 writes a key chapter in Slovakia's energy development, transforming the long-term efforts of thousands into tangible national value: stable, low-carbon, and predictably priced electricity. He added that Unit 4 is a source of professional achievement and pride, proving that even smaller countries and nations can accomplish great things.
The construction of Mochovce Units 3 and 4 has been marked by project delays, political turmoil, and budget overruns. The project officially began in 1987 but stalled in 1991 due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and funding shortages. Construction resumed in 2008 under the leadership of majority shareholder Enel, with an initial completion target of 2012-2013, but faced multiple delays due to safety upgrades following the Fukushima accident, tight spaces for modern thick cables, and ownership restructuring. Slovenské elektrárne holds a 66% majority stake through Slovenské elektrárne Holding (SPH). In 2016, Czech energy infrastructure group EPH (Energetický a průmyslový holding) purchased a 50% stake in SPH from Enel; in December 2024, EPH exercised an early purchase option to acquire the remaining 50% stake. After receiving regulatory approval from the European Commission in March 2025, the transaction was completed two months later. Currently, the state holds a 34% minority stake, with shareholder rights managed by the Ministry of Economy, while EPH (through SPH) holds a 66% majority stake. The final cost of completing Units 3 and 4 is €6.7 billion (approximately $7.66 billion), compared to an estimate of €2.8 billion in 2008.
