Slovak Government Plans New Nuclear Power Plant Without Public Tender, Following Bulgarian Model

The Slovak government is moving forward with plans to build a new nuclear power plant without conducting a public tender process, following a model similar to Bulgaria's approach to nuclear projects. The decision represents a significant departure from standard procurement practices for major infrastructure projects. Slovakia's current nuclear capacity relies heavily on Soviet-era reactors, making new nuclear capacity a strategic priority for the country's energy security and carbon reduction goals. However, the choice to bypass competitive bidding and emulate Bulgaria's controversial nuclear procurement methods has drawn criticism, as Bulgaria's own nuclear projects have faced delays, cost overruns, and transparency concerns.