2 Jan (NucNet): Unit 2 of Slovakia�s Bohunice nuclear power plant has been permanently shut down as planned after 28 years of operation.

The final shut-down of the 408-megawatt pressurised water reactor of the Soviet-type VVER-440 design began in the afternoon of 31 December 2008 and the process was completed in the evening.

The closure � two years before the scheduled end of the unit�s operational lifetime � was in line with commitments made by Slovakia when it joined the EU in May 2004. Bohunice-1 was similarly shut down at the end of 2006. The two units at the plant, which is also known as Bohunice V1, had produced a combined total of 159 terawatt hours of electricity.

The decommissioning of unit 2 is estimated to take between 15 and 20 years. Preparatory works for the dismantling of both units are scheduled to begin in 2012.

Both units generated about one fifth of Slovakia�s domestic electricity production. Economy minister Lubomir Jahnatek has indicated that there could be discussions about a possible restart of unit 2 in the event of a severe energy shortage.

There are two additional but newer reactor units of the VVER-440 type at the site in western Slovakia. These are Bohunice-3 and -4 (also known as the Bohunice V2 plant). These two units have been modernised extensively and continue in operation.

Following the closure of Bohunice-2, Slovakia has four reactor units in commercial operation: Bohunice-3 and -4 and two units at the Mochovce plant.

In November 2008, work resumed on the completion of units 3 and 4 at Mochovce. The work on these two Soviet-type VVER-440 pressurised water reactors began in 1987, but was halted five years later.

In December 2008 the Slovak government chose Czech utility CEZ as its strategic partner in proposals to construct a new nuclear unit on the Bohunice site.

According to the proposals, the new unit should begin to produce electricity in 2020. While CEZ will be the strategic partner, the state will retain a controlling interest.

� by John Shepherd

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

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

Work Resumes On Completion of Slovakia�s Mochovce-3 and -4 (News No. 87, 4 November 2008)

Slovakia Chooses CEZ As Partner For New Bohunice Unit (News in Brief No. 144, 18 December 2008)

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