4 Nov (NucNet): Work on the completion of units 3 and 4 of the Mochovce nuclear power plant in western Slovakia resumed yesterday.

Slovak prime minister Robert Fico attended a ceremony to mark the start of completion of the two Soviet-type VVER-440 pressurised water reactors.

The Slovak Nuclear Society said utility Slovenske Elektrarne will invest about 1.8 billion euro (2.3 billion US dollars) in the completion of the units.

The new units are intended to compensate for the loss of electricity production resulting from the closure of two units at the Bohunice nuclear power plant (also known as Bohunice V1). Unit 1 at Bohunice was shut down permanently in 2007 in line with commitments made by Slovakia when it joined the EU in May 2004. Unit 2 is scheduled for closure next month.

Construction of Mochovce-3 and -4 began in 1987, but was halted five years later. Technology at the units was 30 percent complete and civil structures were 70 percent complete.

According to the Slovak Nuclear Society, Slovenske Elektrarne is trying to keep to the planned deadline for completion of Mochovce-3 in 2012 and Bohunice-4 in 2013. All construction permits needed for the resumption of work have been granted.

Enel of Italy, the majority owner of Slovenske Elektrarne, also plans to uprate Mochovce�s two existing operational units.

Enel chief executive officer Fluvio Conti today reiterated Enel�s intention to push for another new reactor unit at Bohunice.

>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)

Slovakia Closes Bohunice Unit On Schedule (News No. 2, 2 January 2007)

Italy�s Enel �Will Complete Building Of Two Slovakia Units in 5 Years� (News No. 49, 22 February 2007)

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