Slovenian and Croatian state-owned energy firms GEN energija and HEP, which manage Slovenia's NPP at Krsko, have decided to extend its lifespan by 20 years until 2043, according to plant operator Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško. Electricity output from Krsko, a single 696MWe Westinghouse pressurised water reactor, is shared equally between Sloovenia and Croatia. The plant began operating in 1983 and was originally scheduled to close in 2023. It supplies about 25% of Slovenia's electricity needs and 20% of Croatia's.
Slovenian and Croatian state-owned energy firms GEN energija and HEP, which manage Slovenia’s NPP at Krsko, have decided to extend its lifespan by 20 years until 2043, according to plant operator Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško. Electricity output from Krsko, a single 696MWe Westinghouse pressurised water reactor, is shared equally between Sloovenia and Croatia. The plant began operating in 1983 and was originally scheduled to close in 2023. It supplies about 25% of Slovenia’s electricity needs and 20% of Croatia’s.
NEK spokeswoman Ida Novak Jerele said: "The lifespan of Krsko has been extended providing that the plant passes a security check every 10 years with the next checks due in 2023 and 2033. She added that regular maintenance of NEK, which takes place every 18 months, is due to start on October 1 and will last about one month.
Agreement in principle on the 20-year life extension was reached last year at the tenth meeting of the intergovernmental commission which regulates the status and other legal issues related to investments, exploitation and decommissioning of the Krško plant met at the site yesterday. The commission adopted a report by the plant’s management board and it was concluded that since the last meeting of the commission five years before Krško had "achieved very good operating, safety, economic and investment results".