The United States and Slovakia have entered into an intergovernmental agreement to bring new electric generation to the Slovakian civil nuclear program.
The agreement, announced by the U.S. Department of Energy Jan. 16, includes the development of a new state-owned American 1,200-megawatt unit at the Jaslovské Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant.
Bohunice has two operating pressurized water reactors, Units 3 and 4, that produce 466 megawatts per unit, according to the World Nuclear Association. Bohunice Units 1 and 2 closed in 2006 and 2008, respectively, as a condition of the country’s appointment into the European Union.
DOE said the multibillion-dollar project should create thousands of American jobs across engineering, manufacturing, construction, nuclear fuel services and project management. It also reinforces domestic supply chains and expands into international markets for American-made nuclear technology.
For Slovakia, the agreement assists in efforts to diversify its energy portfolio, strengthen long-term energy security and incorporate American technology into Central Europe’s energy infrastructure, according to the release.
Additionally, the deal helps Slovakia move away from Russian-designed reactors and towards a varied nuclear fleet through cooperation with Western partners, DOE said.
“The United States is proud to partner with Slovakia as a trusted ally as we expand cooperation across the energy sector,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. “Today’s civil nuclear agreement reflects our shared commitment to strengthening European energy security and sovereignty for decades to come.