National approach to economic performance indicators for nuclear power plants: Slovakia

The size of the Slovak Republic is 49,036 km2. In 2000, there were about 5.4 millions inhabitants and the population density was 110/km2. In 2000, the GDP decreased to $19.7 billion compared with $21.3 billion in 1998. Slovakia has only limited domestic energy resources, i.e. lignite, oil, natural gas and renewable resources. The energy potential of renewable resources in Slovakia represents approximately 5% of the total annual consumption of primary energy resources. In 2000, the electricity production from Slovak Electric was 26.3 TW·h (about 85%) and from other producers 4.6 TW·h (15%). The latter group consists mainly of energy generators in factories (car producers). The dominant producer of electricity in Slovakia is Slovak Electric, which is owned by the National Property Fund. About 90% of the distribution and sale of electricity are done by regional energy enterprises. The power grid operates within the framework of the Central Regional Net (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia). In October 1995, a long term trial test of the joint operation with the UCPTE started. Another important measure related to the nuclear power sector is the Government decree on the closure of the two oldest units at the Bohunice V-1 nuclear power plant in 2006 and 2008, respectively. By implementing a programme of modernization and safety upgrading of the Bohunice V-2 nuclear power plant, extension of the V-2 design lifetime will be enabled and the high level of safety maintained. The decision on the completion of Mochovce units 3 and 4 will depend on any interest shown by a strategic partner, as no guaranty of the State is possible. It is expected that a major part of the increase in electricity demand will be covered by developing the production of independent generators, mainly based on the steam-gas cycle