Slovakia has the technical, regulatory, and site conditions to move forward with deploying small modular reactors, based on a feasibility study conducted by Sargent & Lundy.
The firm led the technical analysis for the study provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Project Phoenix initiative with the country’s largest utility, Slovenské elektrárne, and the Slovak Republic’s Ministry of Economy. Using International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines, the team evaluated four candidate locations – Bohunice, Mochovce, Vojany, and U.S. Steel Košice – and found that all four meet baseline criteria for SMR deployment.
“The report affirms Slovakia is strategically situated to deploy SMRs, with several mature, safe, and secure technologies available that align with the country’s needs and goals” said Sargent & Lundy Project Director Josh Best, who led the study. “All candidate sites assessed are viable, and Slovakia is primed to take the next steps should they choose to proceed.”
Slovenské elektrárne is Slovakia’s largest electricity producer, generating more than 60% of the country’s power. The utility views SMRs as a strategic opportunity to strengthen energy security and attract regional investment. Slovakia is planning to deploy SMRs by 2035.
Project Phoenix provides feasibility studies and technical assistance under the U.S. Department of State’s Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program for partner countries pursuing safe, reliable nuclear technology. Sargent & Lundy is implementing similar activities in Estonia, Ukraine, and Slovenia, along with coordinating SMR deployment technical assistance in 13 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
With more than 130 years of industry experience and a growing advanced reactor portfolio, Sargent & Lundy provides the deep expertise in feasibility, siting, licensing, and owner’s engineering necessary to help utilities deploy new nuclear capacity safely and efficiently.
For more details, read Slovenské elektrárne’s press release: “Slovakia gives the green light to small modular reactors.”