It could take up to eight months to undergo all tests and get the necessary permits to bring the new units online. Fuel loading is now scheduled for later this year Slovenské Elektrárne said.
The first of two new 440-MW Russia-supplied VVER units was due to be commercially operational in the second quarter of this year.
Slovenské Elektrárne said the delay will also impact the total budget for the completion of Units 3 and 4, with an estimated increase in costs of €270m, representing a 5% increase in total costs. The total cost last year was estimated at €5.4bn. This budget increase will be covered by the majority shareholder of Slovenské Elektrárne, Slovak Power Holding.
Construction of Mochovce-3 and Mochovce-4 began in January 1987, but work was halted in 1991 due to a lack of funds and did not resume until November 2008. An earlier schedule saw Mochovce-3 beginning commercial operation at the end of 2018 and Mochovce-4 at the end of 2019.