Slovakia has taken a significant step toward reshaping its long-term energy strategy by formalizing closer cooperation with the United States in the field of civilian nuclear power. The move is aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on Russian energy technologies and fuel supplies, while strengthening energy security within the European Union.
The agreement was signed in Washington by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, establishing a framework for deeper bilateral cooperation on nuclear projects. A central pillar of the plan is the construction of a new nuclear reactor with a capacity of around 1,200 MW at the Jaslovské Bohunice nuclear power plant.
Westinghouse is widely viewed as the leading contender to deliver the project. The investment is expected to be substantial, with estimated costs ranging between $13 billion and $19.5 billion, reflecting both the scale of the project and the technological complexity of the planned reactor.
Slovak officials have described the agreement as a strategic turning point. The government sees the partnership as part of a broader effort to align Slovakia’s energy future with Western partners, while ensuring long-term stability, security, and technological independence. From the US perspective, the deal highlights a commitment to reinforcing Europe’s energy autonomy for decades to come.
Nuclear power already plays a dominant role in Slovakia’s electricity mix. The nuclear power plants at Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce together generate more than half of the country’s total electricity production. However, these facilities rely on pressurized water reactor technology originally developed during the Soviet era.
These nuclear plants have long drawn criticism from neighboring Austria, where anti-nuclear groups have repeatedly staged protests, pointing to the age of some units, which exceed 40 years. The Jaslovské Bohunice plant itself is located roughly 100 kilometers east of Vienna, adding a cross-border political and environmental dimension to the debate over nuclear expansion in Central Europe.