7 Apr (NucNet): All possible energy options, including new nuclear units, are “still on the table” for Croatia, despite comments by prime minister Ivo Sanader that nuclear might not be a priority.
Mario Horvatic, the new head of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SONS), said Croatia has been working on an energy strategy, but it has not been completed yet.
Mr Horvatic said SONS has been preparing for possible new nuclear by planning to take on more staff. He said if Croatia adopts a nuclear option in its energy strategy numbers at SONS will grow significantly.
In November 2008, Mr Sanader said the government had examined several energy options and preferred those not involving nuclear power plants. He added “We are open for a public debate and if the public shows that we need a different option, we are open for dialogue.”
However, deputy prime minister Damir Polancec said that the construction of a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant had been assessed as part of the proposed energy strategy and found “favourable”.
Croatia proposes spending about 10 billion euro (13 billion US dollars) on its energy sector over the next 12 years, including the construction of some 3,500 megawatts of new generating capacity.
Croatia co-owns the Krsko nuclear power plant in Slovenia, its neighbour to the north. Mr Horvatic said co-operation between SONS and the Slovenian nuclear safety authority URSJV/SNSA was “extensive”, especially in the field of accident preparedness.
In 1998 Croatia and Slovenia signed an agreement on the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological emergency. Since then the two regulatory bodies have regularly exchanged information and meet once a year to discuss issues.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Croatia and Slovenia Sign N-Plant Ownership Accord (News No. 397, 21 December 2001)
US Regulator Agrees On Cooperation With Croatia (News in Brief No. 118, 6 October 2008)
