Slovakia's Fourth Mochovce Reactor to Reach Full Capacity by Year-End After Decade-Long Delays

Slovakia's fourth nuclear reactor at the Mochovce power plant will not reach full operational capacity until the end of 2025, following construction delays that stretched more than a decade beyond the original schedule. The reactor, one of two new units added to the existing Mochovce facility in western Slovakia, is currently in the process of being brought online. The total cost of constructing both new reactors — Units 3 and 4 — has exceeded six billion euros, far surpassing initial estimates. Mochovce is Slovakia's second nuclear power plant, operated by Slovenské elektrárne, the country's dominant electricity producer. The expansion project, which began in the mid-2000s, was originally expected to be completed within a few years but encountered repeated technical, financial, and regulatory setbacks that pushed delivery well into the 2020s. Unit 3 was connected to the grid ahead of Unit 4, which is still completing its ramp-up phase. The completion of both reactors is considered significant for Slovakia's energy strategy, as nuclear power provides the majority of the country's electricity generation. Fully operational, the two new units are expected to significantly boost domestic electricity output, reducing dependence on imports and supporting Slovakia's long-term energy security goals.