Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Slovakia will sign a U.S. cooperation agreement on nuclear power next week as it advances plans to build a new, state-owned reactor at Jaslovske Bohunice. The planned unit is expected to be nearly 1,200 MW, larger than Slovakia's current reactors, and talks involve U.S. firm Westinghouse. The government approved an inter-governmental deal in October, and Fico said he plans to attend a Washington signing but provided few details.
Slovakia To Sign U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Pact Next Week — Plans State-Owned 1,200 MW Reactor
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a press conference with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis (not pictured), in Bratislava, Slovakia, January 8, 2026. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa
Jan 10 (Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday that Slovakia will sign an agreement with the United States next week on cooperation in nuclear power as the country moves forward with plans to build a new reactor with U.S. support.
Project Details
Slovakia, which currently operates five nuclear reactors at two sites, has been in talks with Washington since last year over plans to construct a large new unit with U.S. firm Westinghouse. Fico said the planned reactor would have a capacity of nearly 1,200 megawatts (MW), making it larger than Slovakia's existing units.
"In cooperation with American partners, we want to build a new huge block in purely state ownership on the grounds of the existing nuclear power plant in Jaslovske Bohunice," Fico said, without offering further detail.
Timing and Diplomacy
Fico said he intends to participate in the signing of a broader U.S.-Slovak cooperation agreement in the nuclear sector in Washington on Friday, but he did not provide additional specifics about the ceremony or timing. The Slovak government approved an inter-governmental accord with the United States in October to advance construction of the new unit. In December, Fico said U.S. President Donald Trump had invited him to the United States during this year's soccer World Cup for the signing.
Reporting: Jason Hovet in Prague. Editing: Emelia Sithole-Matarise.
The announcement signals Bratislava's push to expand its nuclear capacity with foreign technology and expertise while keeping ownership of the new unit in state hands. Details on financing, timelines, regulatory approvals and the final contractor remain to be confirmed.
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