Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) says the ownership of the Slovak Nuclear Energy Company, JESS, must be settled in September, with the Government Office taking over the process from the Economy Ministry. The Slovak state, which currently owns 51 percent of JESS, plans to buy the remaining 49 percent from Czech energy group ČEZ, giving it full control over plans for a new nuclear unit at Jaslovské Bohunice.
The Economy Ministry says delays were caused by concerns over the purchase price and its impact on public finances. A valuation put the stake at around 190 million euros, while ČEZ reported a lower figure in its annual report. The opposition questions why full state ownership is necessary, arguing that ČEZ brings valuable experience in developing nuclear projects, including the planned reactors at Czech village of Dukovany.
Fico says the deal is needed to move ahead with the planned 1,200-megawatt reactor, due to be completed around 2040 or 2041 at an estimated cost of 10 billion euros.
Source: STVR, TASR
