Slovakia ends negotiations with Russian Rosatom on nuclear project entry

The Slovakian Economy Ministry announced that it has closed negotiations with Russian energy giant, Rosatom, on its entry into a project to build a nuclear facility at Jaslovske Bohunice, the local media reported on Dec. 30, 2013.

“The negotiations with the Russian company Rosatom on its possible entry into the project of the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Jaslovske Bohunice are over for now,” Economy Minister Tomas Malatinsky announced, according to online news portal, The Slovak Spectator.

The Slovakian side closed negotiations due to the impossibility of fulfilling conditions set by Rosatom. The Russian player demanded guarantees on prices for electricity produced at the new facility, something the Slovakian government was unwilling to agree on.

Malatinsky did not rule out a return to negotiations should Rosatom change its requirements.

Slovakia launched the search for an new strategic partner after its current partner Czech power utility, CEZ, announced that it will be prioritizing the construction of new power units at the Czech nuclear facility Temelin.