The Slovenian Ministry of the Environment has granted the Krško Nuclear Power Plant an environmental permit to extend its lifespan beyond 2023 by another 20 years. This completes the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that was carried out last year after the overall overhaul of the nuclear power plant. The plant, which was commissioned in 1983, is expected to run until 2043.
During the scheduled maintenance, which took place last October, the nuclear power plant was readied for operation over the next 20 years, it said. The regular general revisions are performed after 18 months of use. With the technological upgrade during the recent maintenance, the plant also meets the criteria laid down in the EU taxonomy for the long-term operation of nuclear power plants.
Regular security check
A regular safety inspection by the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Authority at the nuclear power plant will also be completed this year. This has been carried out by the authorities every ten years since 2003 to monitor the condition and safety of the plant for another ten years. The current inspection is the condition to keep the nuclear power plant in operation until 2033.
Global 2000: Legacy data approval
The environmental organization Global 2000 announced that they had analyzed the requirements with their Slovenian partner organization Focus. According to this, the advancing climate crisis will mean that the reactor will be even less available in the critical summer months. The approval also does not require earthquake safety upgrades “of the only nuclear power station in a ‘red’ highly active earthquake zone in Europe”. The approval is based on data that is up to 19 years old and overtaken by geological surveys. Global 2000 called on the federal government to “emphatically demand necessary safety upgrades for the old reactor in the earthquake zone”.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
