The dominant Slovakian power producer Slovenske elektrarne (SE) launched the construction of two new units at the Mochovce nuclear power plant in western Slovakia on Monday.
"This project is essential to Slovakia's self-sufficiency. Nuclear energy is now a segment that is crucial and correct, as confirmed by EU officials," Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said at a ceremony on the construction launch.
He added the new units would give the Slovakian economy a significant boost amid the financial crisis.
The plant is scheduled to be completed in 2013. The two new units worth 2.7 billion euros (3.5 billion dollars) will cover 22 percent of Slovakia's energy consumption.
"The completion of this project will contribute to the safety and energy sufficiency of Slovakia and will meet the country's growing energy needs," said Fulvio Conti, the head of Enel which owns 66 percent of SE, while the state holds the rest.
SE had to close one unit at the Jaslovske Bohunice nuke plant in 2006 and is due to switch off its other Soviet-designed reactor there at the end of December under commitments given to Brussels that paved the way for Slovakia's accession to the European Union in 2004.
As a result, Slovakia, a former power exporter, will have to import around 20 percent of its electricity as from 2009.
"We cannot afford to turn Slovakia, a former exporter of electricity, into a power importer. This government will do its best to build another unit at Jaslovske Bohunice too," Fico said.
For this unit, "we are interested in a western-type of technology. There will be an interest in finding a partner, but the state has to have a majority in such a project," he added.
