TABLE 3. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

	Solid	Liquid	Natural Gas	Uranium	Hydro	Other Renewable
Total amount in specific units*	1 087	10	26	10 000
Total amount in Exajoule (EJ)					0.02	0.21

* Solid, Liquid: Million tons; Gas: Billion m3; Uranium: Metric tons; Hydro, Renewable: TW

Source: Slovak Minerals Yearbook 2011

Slovakia has limited available domestic energy resources, i.e. brown coal, oil, natural gas and renewable resources.

TABLE 4. ENERGY STATISTICS (in EJ)

	2000	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	Average annual growth rate (%) 2000-2014
Energy consumption*
Total	0.77	0.77	0.77	0.77	0.72	0.73	0.73	0.73	0.73	0.73	-0.38
Solids**	0.19	0.17	0.18	0.17	0.16	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15	-1.67
Liquids	0.12	0.15	0.16	0.16	0.14	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15	1.61
Gases	0.25	0.22	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.21	-1.24
Nuclear	0.21	0.19	0.17	0.18	0.15	0.16	0.16	0.16	0.16	0.16	-1.92
Hydro	0.01	0.02	0.02	0.01	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.02	5.08
Other Renewables		0.02	0.03	0.03	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04	9.05
Energy production
Total	0.28	0.27	0.25	0.26	0.25	0.26	0.26	0.26	0.26	0.26	-0.53
Solids**	0.04	0.02	0.02	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	-2.03
Liquids		0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0
Gases	0.01	0.01	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	-2.03
Nuclear	0.21	0.19	0.17	0.18	0.15	0.16	0.16	0.16	0.16	0.16	-1.92
Hydro	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.01	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.02	0.02	0
Other Renewables		0.02	0.03	0.03	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04	0.04	9.05
Net import (Import-Export)
Total	0.49	0.50	0.52	0.50	0.47	0.48	0.47	0.47	0.47	0.47	-0.30

* Energy consumption = Primary energy consumption + Net import (Import - Export) of secondary energy.

** Solid fuels include coal, lignite

Source: Statistics Office of SR

The Energy policy of the Slovak Republic was approved by the resolution of the Slovak Government in 2014. The Energy Policy of the Slovak Republic is a strategic document defining the energy sector's primary objectives and priorities until 2035 with a vision for 2050. The Energy Policy is a component of Slovakia's national economic strategy given that ensuring sustainable economic growth is conditioned by the reliable supply of affordable energy. The priority from this perspective is ensuring the reliability and stability of energy supply, efficient energy utilisation at optimum costs and ensuring environmental protection. A well-functioning energy market with a competitive environment will be strengthened by Energy Policy implementation. The task of the Energy Policy is to create a stable framework for a safely operating energy market that motivates investments into energy.

The Slovak Republic has been a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 1994 and a party to the Kyoto Protocol since 2002.

By resolution No. 256/2014 the Government of SR adopted the “Policy, principles and strategy for further development of nuclear safety“. The aim of the document is to summarize and strengthen the principles to protect the public and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation associated with peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

On July 31^st 2012, the Law on Regulation in Network Industries (Act No. 250/2012 Coll.) was approved by the Slovak Parliament. Its amendment was necessary due to belated transposition of gas and electricity directives of the third EU energy package. It came into effect on September 1, 2012.

This Law states that the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (Slovak abbr. URSO) is legally separated and functionally independent form any state, public or private institutions. Its representatives act independently, without any market or other interests and while performing their duties they do not follow instructions from any third parties.

Generation

Slovenské elektrárne, a. s. (Slovak Electric, SE) is the largest electricity producer in Slovakia, also generating and selling heat and providing ancillary services for the power grid. It has an installed capacity of 5 267.46 MW with an ideal production mix – nuclear, water and conventional sources in combination with biomass cofiring and photovoltaic sources. It operates thirty-five hydro power plants, two nuclear power plants, two thermal power plants and two photovoltaic plants.

Ownership structure of Slovenské elektrárne is the following: the Slovak Republic owns 34 % (shareholder's rights are executed by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic) and the company Enel SpA owns 66 % of Slovenské elektrárne shares.

On December 18th, 2015, Enel Produzione S.p.A. signed a contract with EP Slovakia BV, a subsidiary of Energetický a prumyslový holding, a.s. ("EPH"), for the sale of the stake held by Enel Produzione in Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. ("Slovenské elektrárne"), equal to 66% of the latter’s share capital. The sale will be executed by way of a transfer of Enel Produzione’s entire stake in Slovenské elektrárne to a newly established company (“HoldCo”), and the eventual sale to EP Slovakia - in two phases - of 100% of the share capital of the HoldCo.

On the same topic, Enel Produzione and the Slovak Ministry of the Economy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on December 21^st, 2015.

Other electricity producers typically have one power plant at their disposal, and each of them has a market share of less than 5 % (e.g. PPC Power, U. S. Steel Košice, Tepláren Košice, Slovnaft, Mondi SCP, Slovintegra, Vodohospodárska výstavba). Generation in industrial power plants is secured mainly for self-consumption. The big CHP power plants provide electricity supply mainly to the so-called electricity end-consumers in households and small businesses.

Transmission

The Slovak Republic’s transmission grid is connected to the wider European transmission system and Ukraine by means of 8 extra high voltage (400 kV) and 2 high voltage (220 kV) interconnectors including 5 with the Czech Republic (3 extra high and 2 high voltage), 2 EHV with Poland, 1 EHV with Ukraine, and 2 EHV with Hungary. Two new EHV interconnectors with Hungary are also in the planning stages and are on the EU list of projects of common interest. All neighbouring countries have interconnections with the Slovak Republic, apart from Austria. From the historical perspective Slovakia is also interconnected with the Czech Republic at the 110 kV level operated by the distribution system operator.

The transmission system is owned and operated by Slovenska elektrizacna prenosova sustava, a.s. (SEPS), which acts as power system operator. The Slovak Republic is the owner of 100% of company shares with the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic acting on its behalf. The transmission system consists of 1,953 km of 400 kV lines, 826 km of 220 kV lines and 80 km of 110 kV lines. The Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) approves the operation of the 110 kV lines.

The Slovak transmission system: http://www.sepsas.sk/

FIGURE 1: SLOVAK TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Distribution and supply

As of July 1^st 2007, the legal unbundling of electricity supply from electricity distribution took place in the vertically integrated companies Západoslovenská energetika (hereinafter as „ZSE“), Stredoslovenská energetika (hereinafter as „SSE“) and Východoslovenská energetika (hereinafter as „VSE“). Thus, three legally independent companies emerged as operators of regional distribution systems: ZSE Distribúcia, Stredoslovenská energetika – distribúcia and Východoslovenská distribucná, with the license for conducting business in electricity distribution, and electricity supply is secured by these three so-called household electricity end-suppliers ZSE-Energia, SSE and VSE. Further electricity suppliers are represented by electricity producers, small businesses and electricity traders.

As of the same date (July 1^st 2007), the electricity market is open to all electricity consumers including households, based on the European legislation provisions (Directive 2003/54/EC).

Západoslovenská energetika („ZSE“): http://www.zse.sk/

Stredoslovenská energetika („SSE“): http://www.sse.sk/

Východoslovenská energetika („VSE“): http://www.vse.sk/

Transmission

The volume of electricity produced from the sources in Slovakia in 2015 in the volume of 27.191 GWh was on the same level as in 2014 (a year-to-year index was 99.8%) what meant suspension of the production drop in the year 2014 against the year 2013.Total gross electricity consumption in Slovakia in 2015 amounted to 29.579 GWh. Compared to the year 2014, the electricity consumption increased by 1.224 GWh (a year-to-year index 104.3%). Increase of electricity consumption in the year 2015 was ensured by the increased import of electricity from abroad compared to the year 2014. In 2015, the share of import in the electricity consumption was increased to the value of 8.1%; in 2014 it was 3.9%.

In 2015 production volume of hydro-electric power plants was 4.338 GWh, which is less than in 2014 (a year-to-year index 94,9). Hydro-electric power plants in 2015 provided for 15.9% of the total electricity production in Slovakia. The highest share in the electricity production in Slovakia was attributed to nuclear power plants as a rule - 15.146 GWh (55.7%). Production of thermal power plants in 2015 was 5.252 which is 19.3% of electricity production from the resources on the territory of Slovakia. Renewable energy sources produced 2.384 GWh which is 8.8% of the total electricity production in Slovakia.

The Slovak transmission system: http://www.sepsas.sk/

TABLE 5. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION & CAPACITY

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	Average annual growth rate (%) 2007-2015
Capacity of electrical plants (GWe)
- Thermal	2.61	2.59	2.82	3.50	3.38	2.70	2.70	2.68	2.72	0.52
- Hydro	2.51	2.55	2.49	2.52	2.52	2.53	2.54	2.58	2.53	0.10
- Nuclear	2.20	2.2	1.82	1.82	1.94	1.94	1.94	1.94	1.94	-1.56
-Wind	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0
- Geothermal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
- other renewable	-	-	0.01	0.02	0.19	1.25	1.21	1.20	0.9	111.69
- Total	7.35	7.36	7.15	7.87	8.06	8.43	8.39	8.40	8.10	1.22
Electricity production (TW.h)
- Thermal	8.05	7.97	7.43	7.57	8.62	5.22	5.21	4.49	-	-8.00*
- Hydro	4.45	4.04	4.37	5.26	3.78	4.14	4.34	5.06	4.34	-0.31
- Nuclear	15.33	16.7	14.08	14.57	15.41	15.50	15.49	15.72	15.15	-0.15
-Wind	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01	0
- Geothermal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
- other renewable	-	-	-	0.02	0.40	3.3	2.77	2.72	-	241.50**
-Total (1)	28.06	28.96	26.16	27.86	28.13	28.39	28.39	28.59	27.19	-0.39
Total Electricity consumption (TW.h)	29.78	29.48	27.47	28.90	29.38	28.78	28.78	28.68	29.58	-0.08

(1)Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

*Calculated for the years 2007-2014

**Calculated for the years 2010-2014

Source: Ministry of Economy of SR

FIGURE 2: MAP OF POWER PLANTS IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

TABLE 6. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Energy consumption per capita (GJ/capita)	144.45	139.77	141.38	129.54	136.88	132.56	133.12	133.12	138.40	-
Electricity consumption per capita (kW.h/capita)	5 395	5 517	5 453	5 069	5 321	5 443	5 315	5 336	5 348	5 453
Electricity production/Energy production (%)	41.55	42.54	39.30	39.81	38.53	39.17	38.37	38.37	38.64	-
Nuclear/Total electricity production (%)	61.91	51.47	56.64	51.25	50.41	52.45	53.85	54.56	54.98	55.72
Ratio of external dependency (%)(1)			64.3	66.2	63	64	60	59.6

(1)Net import

Source: Eurostat, SEPS, a.s., www.sepsas.sk

Commercial utilization of nuclear power in the Slovak Republic started in 1972. There were six nuclear power units connected to the electricity grid from that time. Nowadays, there are four operational nuclear power plants: Bohunice Units 3, 4 (V-2) and Mochovce Units 1, 2. NPP Bohunice V-1 and NPP Bohunice A1 are in permanent shutdown (decommissioning stage). Construction of NPP Mochovce Units 3, 4 was reactivated in mid-2009.

Current organizational chart(s)

FIGURE 3: SLOVAK INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN THE NUCLEAR SECTOR

Licensees:

Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. (SE, plc.): http://www.seas.sk/

JAVYS, a.s.: http://www.javys.sk/

Governmental organizations with responsibility in nuclear field:

Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic: http://www.ujd.gov.sk/

Ministry of Health - Public Health Authority: www.uvzsr.sk

Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic: http://www.economy.gov.sk/

Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic: http://www.minzp.sk

Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic: http://www.employment.gov.sk

FIGURE 4: MAP OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN OPERATION AND UNDER CONSTRACTION

The owner and operator of the operating nuclear power plants is the utility, Slovenské elektrárne, a. s. The owner and operators of the NPP Bohunice V-1 and NPP Bohunice A-1 is the utility JAVYS, a. s.

NPP Bohunice Unit V-2

Construction of NPP Bohunice V-2 started in 1976, built by Skoda. The NPP Bohunice V-2 units commenced operation in 1985. From 2005 to 2008 operator, Slovenské elektrárne, a. s., carried out a major modernization programme on the two Bohunice V-2 units, to improve seismic resistance, cooling systems, and instrumentation and control (I&C) systems with a view to extending operational life to 40 years (2025). This was followed by a progressive uprating programme of both units, eventually bringing the capacity of each unit from 440 MWe gross to 505 MWe gross (472 MWe net) by November 2010.

Mochovce Unit 1, 2

In 1982, construction on the first two units of the four unit Mochovce nuclear power plant was commenced by Skoda, using VVER-440 V-213 reactor units. Units 1, 2 started up in 1999 and 2000. These two units have been significantly upgraded and instrumentation and control (I&C) systems replaced with assistance from Western companies. Uprates of 7% at Mochovce 1,2 were implemented by June 2008. Each Unit produces annually more than 3,000 GWh of electricity.

Mochovce Unit 3, 4

In 1987, the construction of two additional units began based on the same type of Soviet VVER 440/213, but due to lack of funds, the construction was stopped in 1991 and the plant was preserved. In November 2008, construction started again. .

NPP Bohunice A-1

In 1958, the Czechoslovak government started building its first nuclear power plant, a gas cooled heavy water pressure tube reactor at Bohunice. This 110 MWe net Bohunice A-1 reactor, built by Skoda was completed in 1972 and ran until 1977. In 1977 it was closed due to an accident arising from refuelling. In 1979 it was decided not to renew the operation of NPP Bohunice A-1 and to prepare it for phasing out. Decommissioning process of Bohunice Unit A-1 is spread over five successive stages in time. Completion of the decommissioning process of NPP Bohunice A-1 is planned for 2033. In 2014, work directed at increasing the levels of the radiation-safe condition of the wrecked NPP Bohunice A-1 and reducing the risk of its effect on the operating personnel and the environment was performed within the 2^nd NPP Bohunice A1 decommissioning stage. Through the continuous lowering of the radioactivity decontamination inventory and the dismantling of unused technical equipment, the structural parts of the NPP Bohunice A1 ‘s decommissioned facilities and continuous processing of historical operating RAW, JAVYS successfully fulfilled the 2014 legislative requirements for the 2^nd NPP Bohunice A1 decommissioning phase with positive socio-environmental and safety-economic terms.

NPP Bohunice V-1

In 1972, construction of the Bohunice V-1 nuclear plant commenced, with two VVER-440 V-230 reactors supplied by Atomenergoexport of Russia and Skoda. The first was grid connected in 1978, the second two years later. Despite major upgrade work on the two Bohunice V-1 units, the units were shut down at the end of 2006 (unit 1) and 2008 (unit 2) as a condition of Slovakia's accession to the European Union. The Strategic Decommissioning Plan was prepared, which identifies activities, expected results, the corresponding performance indicators and milestones to allow the tracking of activities during the V-1 NPP‘s decommissioning. The document also provides the cost estimate that reflects the actual costs incurred to date for decommissioning and updated estimates of future costs for ongoing projects and projects whose implementation is expected in the future. Decommissioning of NPP Bohunice V-1 is planned in two stages, with completion date in 2025. First stage ended in December 2014 and second stage started from January 1^st 2015.

TABLE 7. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Reactor Unit	Type	Net Capacity [MW(e)]	Status	Operator	Reactor Supplier	Construction Date	First Criticality Date	First Grid Date	Commercial Date	Shutdown Date	UCF for 2015
BOHUNICE-3	PWR	471	Operational	SE,plc	SKODA	1976-12-01	1984-08-07	1984-08-20	1985-02-14		86.8
BOHUNICE-4	PWR	471	Operational	SE,plc	SKODA	1976-12-01	1985-08-02	1985-08-09	1985-12-18		94.4
MOCHOVCE-1	PWR	436	Operational	SE,plc	SKODA	1983-10-13	1998-06-09	1998-07-04	1998-10-29		91.6
MOCHOVCE-2	PWR	436	Operational	SE,plc	SKODA	1983-10-13	1999-12-01	1999-12-20	2000-04-11		94.4
MOCHOVCE-3	PWR	440	Under Construction	SE,plc	SKODA	1987-01-27	2016-08-20	2016-09-05	2016-11-09
MOCHOVCE-4	PWR	440	Under Construction	SE,plc	SKODA	1987-01-27	2017-08-20	2017-09-05	2017-11-09
BOHUNICE A1	HWGCR	93	Permanent Shutdown	JAVYS	SKODA	1958-08-01	1972-10-24	1972-12-25	1972-12-25	1977-02-22
BOHUNICE-1	PWR	408	Permanent Shutdown	JAVYS	AEE	1972-04-24	1978-11-27	1978-12-17	1980-04-01	2006-12-31
BOHUNICE-2	PWR	408	Permanent Shutdown	JAVYS	AEE	1972-04-24	1980-03-15	1980-03-26	1981-01-01	2008-12-31

Data source: IAEA - Power Reactor Information System (PRIS).

Note: Table 7 is completely generated from PRIS data to reflect the latest available information and may be more up to date than the text of the report.

The NPPs have been significantly upgraded throughout their operational lifetime. Improvement of the containment tightness/integrity of existing plants is one of the major achievements.

In accordance with the legal requirements all plants are subject to Periodic Safety Reviews with 10 years periodicity. The latest periodic review in NPP Bohunice 3,4 was completed in 2008, in NPP Mochovce 1, 2 in 2009. Based on the results of the review ÚJD SR issued operational permit for subsequent 10 years of operation. The permits are associated with approval of safety upgrading programme of the plants aimed at closer compliance of the safety level with contemporary safety standards. The programmes also include implementation of comprehensive severe accident mitigation measures.

Since 1991 there were in total around 20 missions from the IAEA (site review, design review, OSART, IPSART missions), 6 WANO missions, 2 RISKAUDIT missions and 1 WENRA mission.

Based on WANO recommendations during the period from April to October 2011 the non-standard tests and inspections of equipment, that is important for coping with extreme conditions exceeding the basic design, were successfully performed on the operating units. The tests included verification of the long-term run of diesel generators, the possibility for delivery of cooling water from the bubbler-condenser to the spent fuel pool, feed water supply to steam generators from a mobile source, supplying of water from cooling towers to essential service water system, connection of a back-up power supply from the hydro power plant, and others.

Safety improvement of NPP Bohunice 3, 4 (V-2)

The Programme on Modernization and Improvement of NPP Bohunice 3,4 (V-2) safety started in 1994. It was focused on solving safety issues and the decision of operational issues connected with 15-years operation of NPP Bohunice 3,4: physical wearing and moral obsolescence of devices mainly causing problems concerning the operational reliability of devices, spare parts and service at control and electric systems. The modernization programme also included measures focused on improvement of technical-economic parameters of NPP Bohunice 3,4 units, first of all the primary and secondary unit output regulation, improvement of efficiency and nominal unit output and improvement of their life of service.

The programme of modernization of NPP Bohunice 3,4: Raising of seismic resistance of buildings, constructions and equipment; Fire protection; Modification of technological systems for improvement of emergency situation course and cooling of reactor unit; Replacement and modification of I&C systems to improve the unit management in normal operation, transient and emergency conditions; Replacement and modification of electric systems to improve the power output and feeding of the unit’s on-site consumption in normal operation, transient and emergency conditions; Implementation of measures for improvement of operational economics.

Mochovce 1,2 Safety Improvements

The construction of the NPP Mochovce started in 1981. The political and economic changes resulted in the suspension of the construction in the early 90s. In 1996 a “Mochovce NPP Nuclear Safety Improvement Programme” was developed in the frame of unit 1 and 2 completion project.

The safety improvement programme was based on:

• the document titled “Safety Issues and their Ranking for NPP WWER-440/V213”,

• outcomes of the safety review conducted by RISKAUDIT in 1994,

• conclusions at the IAEA Safety Improvement of Mochovce NPP Project Review Mission – SIRM taking place at Mochovce in June 1994.

The programme of modernization of NPP Mochovce 1,2: modification of instrumentation and control systems in order to improve performance of safety functions (modifications to emergency protection systems, addition of diagnostic systems; modification of electrical systems in order to improve performance of safety functions (improvement in reliability of emergency power supply systems – diesel generators, batteries; comprehensive assessment of the radioactive material confining barrier in case of emergency (thermal-hydraulic calculations of containment conditions in case of accident, strength calculations of the bubble-condenser system in case of accident; improvement of NPP safety during operation through improvement of procedures used (operating procedures, emergency procedures, performance of tests and inspections, investigation of unusual events, radiation protection of personnel, emergency planning); minimization of external risks which could result in the loss of ability of safety systems to perform their safety functions (earthquake, aircraft crash, other industrial activities – gas explosion, etc.); minimization of internal risks which could result in the loss of ability of safety systems to perform their safety functions (fire, internal flooding, turbine missiles, fall of heavy loads, etc.).

Starting from June 1^st 2011, operators of nuclear power plants reviewed the response of the nuclear plants to extreme situations, in particular the operators had to check and improve mitigation measures available after a potential loss of safety functions, caused by any reason. That includes the loss of electrical power or loss of ultimate heat sink for heat removal from the reactor and the management of loss of core cooling functions in their reactors. These measures are taken in view of the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident on March 11^th 2011.

The document „New nuclear source at the Jaslovské Bohunice site“ was approved by the Slovak Governmental Resolution in 2008, in which the Slovak Government required the analysis of legal and economic implications in the context of further aggrieved alternative areas utilization in the locality of NPP Bohunice and establishment of a joint venture consisting of companies JAVYS and CEZ (where JAVYS has a majority status). This joint venture will implement the construction of New Nuclear Source at the Jaslovské Bohunice site.

The proposal for establishment of the company „Nuclear Energetic Slovak Company“(JESS) was approved by the Slovak Governmental Resolution in December 2009. JESS was established as a joint venture consisting of the companies JAVYS and CEZ. The shares of both investors are in compliance with the stockholder contract – 51% for JAVYS and 49% for CEZ.

In 2012, the Feasibility Study, which assesses the key aspect of the planned new nuclear power plant in the Slovak Republic, was elaborated and presented. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report is being finalized with expected completion in the second half of 2015. Based on the detailed analysis, part of the EIA Report will be detailed assessment of the new nuclear power plant impacts on the various components of the environment and on human health. Following the EIA Report, public consultations of the proposed activity will be held at the levels of involved municipalities, including cross-border consultations and meetings.

Development of the EIA Report immediately follows the Preliminary Study for the Proposed Activity. The Preliminary Study was submitted to the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic on March 5^th 2014.

Following publication of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report there were a public hearings to this document held on the level of the concerned municipalities in Slovakia and cross border in Hungary, Austria, Germany, Ukraine.

The EIA process was concluded by the positive Final Statement on the project in the first half of 2016. This statement is an indispensable basis for further licensing activities in the context of the authorization procedure, within the meaning of the Atomic Act and the Construction Act.

Project of the new nuclear source is expected to be funded and financed by private sectors.

In the presence of JESS’ and SEPS’ managements, the results of the Feasibility Study and the requirements for further cooperation in the implementation of Project NNPP were presented.

All necessary information: http://www.jess.sk/en/

Link: http://www.jess.sk/en/home/press/press-releases/representative-quantitative-opinion-poll

Research and development activities in Slovakia are based on national long-term strategic plans transferred into medium-term projects, which reflect country specific conditions and Slovakia’s nuclear energy needs. The strategic plans and projects are bound to international research and development activities, particularly those conducted within EU or OECD/NEA countries.

Research and development in Slovakia is financed from the state budget and is completed by funds from private sector or support from EU. The expenditures on research and development in Slovakia are limited. They represent several hundred thousand USD per year.

Utilities technical support organizations and universities initiate the research and development. The activities are focused on effective and efficient use of nuclear fuel, efficient conversion of nuclear energy into heat and electricity, treatment and disposal of radioactive materials and spent fuel, improvement and validation of analytical computer codes, emergency preparedness and planning, and in support of safety enhancement of nuclear facilities. The Slovak regulatory body initiates the research and development work where it considers that there is a need for additional studies beyond those undertaken by utilities or it can apply to suitable critical considerations in its review and assessment.

Organizations, which conduct the research and development in Slovakia, are:

• VUJE, a.s. Trnava

• VUEZ, a.s., Levice

• DECOM SLOVAKIA, s.r.o., Trnava

• Relko, Ltd., Bratislava

• Slovak Academy of Sciences

• Slovak Technical University, Bratislava

• Commenius University Bratislava and others.

Slovakia participates in the project Allegro, which is a low power Gas Cooled Fast Reactor studied in the European framework.

Slovakia is a member of following international organisations:

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

• Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA).

• The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).

• Western European Nuclear Regulatory Associations (WENRA).

• Forum of State Nuclear Safety Regulators of Countries with WWER Reactors (WWER Forum).

The Nuclear Regulatory Authority takes part in several international co-operations including:

• European High Level Group on Nuclear Safety and Waste Management organised by the EU- ENSREG (cooperation to progressively develop a common understanding and furthering common approaches in priority domains related to the safety of nuclear installations).

• Standing committees of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (CNRA, CRPPH, RWMC).

• WENRA.

• NERS (association of countries with small nuclear programmes).

• Zangger Committee (dealing with controlling the export of nuclear materials and equipment).

• Nuclear Suppliers Group ((NSG) dealing with controlling the export of nuclear materials and equipment and the dual use materials and equipment).

Slovakia has bilateral governmental agreements with neighbouring countries: Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary and with others: Canada, the United States of America, Germany, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia and France.

Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic (Úrad jadrového dozoru SR – UJD SR)

UJD SR is a central state administration authority. It provides the execution of state regulatory activities in the field of nuclear safety of nuclear installations, including regulation of management of radioactive waste, spent fuel and other parts of the fuel cycle, as well as transport and management of nuclear materials including their control and record keeping system. It is responsible for the assessment of the goals of the nuclear energy programme and of the quality of the classified equipment, as well as for commitments of the Slovak Republic under International agreements and treaties in the said field.

Role of the Regulatory Authority (UJD SR)

Pursuant to § 29 of Act No. 575/2001 Coll., UJD SR provides for the exercise of state regulation for nuclear safety of nuclear installations, including regulation of the management of radioactive waste, spent fuel and other parts of the fuel cycle, as well as of nuclear material, including their control and record keeping system. It ensures assessment of goals of nuclear energy use programme and of quality of classified equipment and nuclear technology equipment, as well as the commitments of the Slovak Republic under international agreements and treaties concerning nuclear safety of nuclear installations and management of nuclear materials. Pursuant to the Act No. 541/2004 Coll., UJD SR performs the state regulation of nuclear safety of nuclear installations; in particular it:

• carries out inspections of workplaces, operations and premises of nuclear facilities, operations and premises of approval or authorization holders; checks the fulfilment of obligations pursuant to this Act, generally binding legal provisions issued on its basis, operational procedures issued by the authorization holder, whether limits and conditions of safe operation and safe decommissioning, quality assurance system, as well as of duties arising from decisions, measures or orders issued pursuant to the Atomic Act, are being observed; inspects fulfilment of commitments under international agreements and treaties signed by the Slovak Republic in respect of UJD SR competency,

• inspects the system of professional training of employees, training programmes of employees with professional competency, training programmes of licensed employees of authorization holders, and inspects professional competency as well as special professional competency of authorization holder employees,

• investigates in site the status, causes and consequences of selected failures, incidents and accidents at nuclear installation or events during transport of radioactive materials.

FIGURE 5: STRUCTURE OF UJD SR

Public Health Authority of SR

The regulation of health protection against radiation is provided by the Public Health Authority according to the provisions of Act No. 355/2007 Coll. on protection, support and development of public health. The body of public health supervision at the nuclear installations is ÚVZ SR.

The Public Health Authority of SR provides in the field of radiation protection, inter alia:

• conditions for the implementation of activities leading to exposure, and the release of radioactive substances and radioactive contaminated objects and materials under administrative control,

• determines the dose limits to optimize radiation protection for individual activities leading to exposure and individual sources of ionizing radiation,

• issues permits for activities leading to exposure and permits for release of radioactive substances and radioactively contaminated objects under administrative control,

• exercises state health supervision in nuclear installations,

• orders measures to prevent occurrence of diseases and other health disorders related to exposure to ionizing radiation,

• performs monitoring of radiation situation and data collection on the territory of the Slovak Republic for the purposes of assessment of exposure and assessing the impact of radiation on public health and manages the activity of the radiation monitoring network,

• issues directives and guides for ensuring radiation protection in implementing activities leading to exposure when releasing radioactive substances and radioactively contaminated materials from administrative control,

• maintains central register of sources of ionizing radiation and a central register of doses, and issues personal radiation passes to external staff, provides information to the public on radiation situation, extraordinary events and on potential exposure, on the risks caused by exposure and on measures and interventions to reduce the irradiation during radiation accidents,

• searches workplaces and facilities, where abandoned radioactive sources may occur,

• co-operates with the European Commission and relevant bodies and institutions of the Member States, and represents the Slovak Republic in international organizations in matters of radiation protection.

To obtain a license for activity in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy the applicant shall demonstrate its capacity to comply with and to fulfil all the requirements set by the laws and regulations valid in Slovakia, in particular the requirements of the Atomic Act and of the implementing regulations of ÚJD SR hereto. The applicant must further demonstrate that the nuclear installation will be or is operated in a safe manner.

The licensing procedure for the nuclear installation consists of five main phases, that is: siting of the nuclear installation, its construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning. Before granting an operating license the regulatory body performs inspections according to the approved schedule of programme of individual phases of commissioning the nuclear installation (tests, fuel loading, physical start-up, energy start-up and trial operation).

The basic condition for granting authorization is the elaboration and submission of safety documentation listed in annexes of the Atomic Act necessary for issuance of particular types of decisions and meeting of legislative requirements for nuclear safety. An essential criterion is also the fulfilment of conditions of preceding approval procedures and decisions of regulatory authority.

District construction authority issues decisions on siting of nuclear installation construction and its decision-making pends on the approval of UJD SR and of other regulatory authorities (Public Health Authority of the SR, labour inspection bodies). Authorization for nuclear installation construction, permission for temporary use of the facility instruction (including authorization for trial operation) and decision on construction approval (including authorization for operation of nuclear installation) are already issued by UJD SR as a construction authority. UJD SR exercises its competency as a construction authority and state administration authority for nuclear safety. Its decisions are based on its own partial decisions (partial approval of safety documentation), as well as on the opinion of relevant regulatory authorities - Public Health Authority of the SR (radiation protection), National Labour Inspectorate, Labour Inspectorate (labour inspection and health and safety protection at work) and other bodies and organizations of state administration (fire prevention, civil defence).

Documentation, attached to the application for issuance of certain decisions of UJD SR and essential for submission, is listed in annexes No. 1 and 2 of the Atomic Act. Details concerning the scope, content and method of preparation of nuclear installation documentation needed for certain decisions are defined in the UJD SR Decree No. 58/2006 Coll and No. 31/2012 Coll.