In a press conference following the signing, Golob said: "France is a European nuclear superpower. It is a country that is building its carbon-free future on the development of nuclear energy."
He added: "If and when Slovenia decides to build the second unit of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, it will be choosing equally between two high-quality and qualified providers, not only between American technology (Westinghouse), which we already have today, but also between French technology. I believe that precisely by having two equal providers at our disposal, we will be able to choose the solution that will be the best for Slovenia in the long term and will also give this project a true regional character.
"We often hear that the construction of a new nuclear power plant may be too much for Slovenia. And it is true. We are not planning it exclusively and only for Slovenia, but as a facility with which the region of Southeastern Europe would satisfy a large part of its electricity needs. And this is precisely one of the advantages that French providers can offer."
Macron said: "Regarding nuclear energy, we want a true strategic partnership and not just a trade partnership. Because we want to give your country the opportunity to produce everything - from turbines to solutions for the disposal of radioactive waste. At the same time, we also need much better energy integration of Slovenia into the region and into Europe, so we also need greater competitiveness. This is the vision that we have for France, for Europe, and also for this partnership, namely that we will be competitive, that our production will be more decarbonised."
Background
Slovenia's JEK2 project is for a new one or two-unit nuclear power plant, with up to 2400 MW capacity, next to Krško NPP which has a 696 MWe pressurised water reactor generating about one-third of the country's electricity. Krško is owned and operated by Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško, which is jointly owned by Croatia's Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP Group) and Slovenia's GEN Energija.
The JEK2 project team, following discussions with potential nuclear power plant providers EDF, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Westinghouse, in May last year, estimated the cost for various reactor sizes, ranging from EUR9.314 billion (USD10.1 billion) for a 1000 MW unit, up to EUR15.371 billion for a 1650 MW unit. KHNP withdrew from the process in January, with GEN saying the decision was "based on an assessment of the current business environment and a change in their strategic business priorities".
In March it was announced that technical feasibility studies were being carried out by potential technology providers Westinghouse and EDF. These studies confirmed that both Westinghouse’s AP1000 and EDF’s EPR and EPR1200 reactors had been judged to be suitable for the JEK2 site.
Slovenia had been due to hold a referendum on new nuclear in November 2024, but that was called off amid a political row over how it was being conducted. Prime Minister Robert Golob said he remained committed to holding a referendum before a final investment decision is taken - which is currently due to be in 2028.
