Slovakia connects Mochovce-4 reactor to power grid

Slovakian utility Slovenské Elektrárne has reported that the Mochovce-4 reactor has been connected to the national power grid and has begun generating electricity. The Russian-designed VVER-440 reactor was synchronized at 20 percent power output on October 15. Once it reaches full capacity of 471 MWe, the unit is expected to produce approximately 3.5 million megawatt hours per year, covering nearly 13 percent of Slovakia’s electricity consumption.

Construction on the Mochovce-3 and Mochovce-4 units began in 1986 but faced significant delays starting in 1992. While Unit 3 entered commercial operation in 2023, Unit 4 reached criticality in August. Further testing and the synchronization of a second turbine generator are required before the unit can reach 100 percent output.

In separate nuclear developments, Poland is advancing multiple projects. A joint venture, PAK BWRX, has been established between SGE and ZE PAK to develop a plant in Pątnów using six GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 reactors. Additionally, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) has commissioned Westinghouse to begin ordering long-lead items for a planned nuclear plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site, which is intended to host three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors.