Germany is also abusing Slovakia. Austria is again dependent on the core
You have been working in the energy industry for many years. How would I classify Slovakia if the core were not included in the taxonomy of sustainable investments?
The basis of our energy sector is in the four nuclear units that are currently in operation. And I hope there will be two more. We do not expect that in the next 10, 15 years we will feel the pressure to stop early. That would have to change energy fundamentally. Something new would be difficult to build. With upgrades, which will certainly have to take place, this is done every 15 to 20 years for such facilities, and access to finance would be worse. We do not yet have good experience with banks. For example, when we needed banks or loans, many banks refused to talk about guarantees at all about the nuclear power plant. The only thing they are willing to give is to dispose of atoms or treat waste. To modernize and build new ones provide exceptional. So these are aspects that could damage the Slovak energy sector.
When I look at it from a European perspective, it is different. There is little emission-free electricity. So far, we have no other technical option than to build nuclear power plants.
There are also opinions that say that we should go more on the path of renewable resources. Is that the way?
Opinions also differ among people in the energy sector, some say that sources from the sun and wind are harmful to the system. I personally do not have this view and I think I should use every resource. But only if they pay off, not only in terms of investment price, but also in terms of system operation. Because it decides whether or not we have electricity at all times. Electric storage is not and does not appear to have been created in sufficient capacity for several decades, although a miracle may happen. However, energy must be based on real numbers and technical background, and not long before something comes up.
According to media reports, the European Commission is proposing nuclear and gas as transitional fuels. In your view, would this be a risk to the further development of these resources in the future?
If they are included in the list of sustainable resources and reap the benefits I have been talking about, such as access to finance, there will be no pressure from Europe to shut down the core.
Could it be financed otherwise with the completion of the fourth block of Mochoviec?
The delivery of the third and fourth blocs deserved a longer debate. I will not comment on Slovenské elektrárny and their access to credit, but I can remove it for us as a supplier. And so we have a problem with banks in general, not as far as Mochoviec is concerned. For example, when we need a bank guarantee or security for a project. I hope that after what happened last year with the price of electricity, which is now over 100 euros per megawatt-hour, the banks would have changed their minds.
Have you encountered any reaction from the bank in relation to taxonomy?
Banks have not relied on it, although in the last year enough
This article is for subscribers only.
You have left 84% to read.
Didn’t find out everything?
It remains until the end of the competition
Digital subscriptions
Get access to complete content
BUY
Do you already have a subscription?
Sign in