Slovakia and the United States signed a civil nuclear energy agreement on January 16 to expand technical cooperation, announced the Slovak government.
The accord creates a framework for Slovakia to develop its nuclear programme through long-term American partnerships. The deal focuses on the entire life cycle of nuclear facilities. This includes nuclear fuel cycle issues, the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, as well as the safety of nuclear installations, research, development, and technological innovations, including small modular reactors.
The Slovak government emphasised that the country already maintains one of the lowest carbon footprints in the regional power sector: nuclear and renewable sources provide over 87 per cent of its current electricity and following the commissioning of the fourth unit of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant, this share will probably increase further.
Slovakia has five nuclear reactors and generates approximately half of the country’s electricity from nuclear energy at two power plants: Bohunice and Mochovce. In 2025, the Slovak government approved a draft intergovernmental agreement with the United States regarding the construction of a new unit at the Bohunice nuclear power plant.
“This agreement gives us the practical tools to prepare for the future of nuclear energy professionally, safely, and with a clear vision – it is not just about technology, but primarily about people, knowledge, and the country’s long-term readiness,” stated the Minister of Economy, Denisa Saková. “Nuclear energy will remain an essential part of a stable, secure, and emission-free energy mix in the following decades. The partnership with the United States of America creates the space for us to prepare for these challenges professionally, responsibly, and well in advance.”