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September 8, 2025
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EDF, Westinghouse complete technical feasibility studies for Krško 2 nuclear power plant

Three reactor projects offered by EDF and Westinghouse have been assessed as technically feasible for the site of the future Krško 2 nuclear power plant, according to technical feasibility studies presented by GEN Energija during the announcement of its 2024 results. GEN Group ended last year with a EUR 186 million profit, down 9% from 2023, when it posted a profit of EUR 204.5 million.

GEN Energija, the parent company of GEN Group, noted that the Krško 2 (JEK2) project is going ahead according to the previously confirmed timeline. In October 2024, Slovenia canceled a referendum on building the second nuclear unit.

In January, it was announced that Westinghouse Electric and EDF would conduct technical feasibility studies for the deployment of their reactor models.

In July, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning initiated the preparation of a spatial plan for the second unit of nuclear power plant Krško and invited the public to submit comments.

GEN Energija has now presented the results of the technical feasibility studies. The reactor projects – EDF’s EPR or EPR1200 and Westinghouse’s AP1000 – were found to be technically feasible for the JEK 2 site.

Planinc: Both technologies include cooling by a natural draft cooling tower

According to Vinko Planinc, head of GEN Energija’s New Nuclear Build Division, the studies confirm that the project enables safe and efficient installation within the existing environment, taking into account flood and earthquake protection requirements.

The expected operational lifespan of both proposed reactors is 60 years, but it could be extended to 80 years if conditions are met, he added.

The location will also allow for the appropriate storage of used nuclear fuel, as well as low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. Both technologies, he said, use natural draft cooling towers – the most environmentally friendly solution, minimizing the impact on the Sava River and creating the smallest carbon footprint.

The estimated investment from the studies matches the amount in GEN Energija’s study presented in 2024, which projected that JEK 2 would cost at least EUR 9.3 billion for 1,000 MW.

The financing method significantly affects the project’s viability

Regarding an analysis of the JEK2 investment by NGO Mladi za Podnebno Pravičnost (Youth for Climate Justice), Jan Lokar, lead engineer at GEN Energija, said the company estimates the minimum electricity price needed for the project’s economic feasibility at EUR 70.2 per MWh, compared to the NGO’s estimate of EUR 107.

The differences arise primarily from varying assumptions about capital costs, he stressed. GEN Energija expects state support in financing, while the NGO estimate assumes private capital investment.

Paravan: 2024 results exceed planned targets

Photo: GEN Energija

GEN Energija CEO Dejan Paravan presented GEN Group’s business results for 2024. The group had revenues of EUR 2.2 billion, a net profit of EUR 186 million, and added value per employee of EUR 276,000, all exceeding the annual financial targets, he added.

“All our production units operated safely and without major interruptions, reflecting years of investment in knowledge, technology, and maintenance. The important role of GEN Group in Slovenia’s energy supply is confirmed by the fact that in 2024, we reliably supplied Slovenian consumers exclusively with low-carbon electricity at affordable and predictable prices,” Paravan noted.

Alongside the JEK2 project studies, the company said, a small modular reactor (SMR) study is underway, aiming to identify possible locations for this type of reactor in Slovenia.

Photo: GEN Energija
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September 8, 2025
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Wind installations in Greece remain low this year as new applications drop

WindEurope expects Greece to add 300 MW of wind capacity in 2025, after installing 152 MW during the first half of the year.

This is an improvement on the mere 108 MW added in 2024, but still far below previous years. For example, in 2023, the country added 544 MW of new wind farms.

According to the European wind industry association’s latest report, Greece is expected to install more wind farms from now on, with 490 MW in 2026 and 350-450 MW each year until 2030.

Cumulative installed capacity currently stands at 5,506 MW

Cumulative installed capacity currently stands at 5,506 MW and is projected to reach 7,480 MW by the end of this decade. This is not enough to meet the National Energy and Climate Plan’s (NECP) goal, which calls for 8,900 MW.

At the same time, WindEurope expects zero offshore installations, as efforts to develop this sector have been delayed despite a national goal of 1.9 GW by the beginning of the next decade.

The report also highlights that applications for new wind farms dropped 65% this year, from 618 MW to just 214 MW.

Support measures still absent

The Greek government has identified wind energy development as a priority from now on. Currently, the energy mix is dominated by photovoltaics, leading to high curtailments and an anomalous production curve.

The idea is to promote wind investments through regulatory changes, such as a higher priority in the connection queue. Furthermore, Greece must fully apply the European directive for a simpler licensing process. The European Commission recently announced that Greece would face referral to the European Court if it delays any further.

Recently, there have been cases of companies leaving the Greek market, which has raised concerns regarding investment profitability.

Therefore, there is much to be done for the sector in the coming months and years to reverse the course and increase installations.

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September 5, 2025
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Montenegro’s power utility seeks contractor for two battery storage systems

Montenegro’s state-owned power utility, Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, has launched a tender for the procurement and installation of two battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 60 MW/240 MWh.

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) is seeking a partner for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of two battery energy storage systems (BESS), each with a capacity of 30 MW and 120 MWh, with an output voltage of 35 kV.

The estimated value of the procurement is EUR 48 million excluding VAT, according to the public call.

The EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract for the batteries is a comprehensive turnkey agreement covering all phases of project development, including design, equipment procurement and delivery, permitting, construction, and commissioning.

The contract also includes training for EPCG personnel

Technical staff training is included to ensure the proper and safe operation of the facilities, as well as to validate their performance in accordance with the contracted terms, which will be mutually confirmed by signing a technical acceptance report.

The EPC covers all technical, engineering, logistical, and construction details, workplace health and safety, environmental protection, and responsibilities for performance guarantees and technical maintenance of the facility, according to the public call.

According to previous announcements, EPCG intends to utilize existing infrastructure for connection to the transmission grid. Potential locations include the 60 MWh hydropower plant Perućica, EPCG’s steel mill Željezara Nikšić with two 60 MWh units, and the 60 MWh Pljevlja thermal power plant.

The first two battery systems will be installed at the Željezara site.

EPCG held talks with several investors

In March, the company announced it had held discussions with several companies and financiers from the region, Europe, and beyond.

EPCG initially announced its intention to install batteries in early September last year. At that time, the EPCG Board of Directors adopted a project task proposal for adding BESS capacities.

According to the project task, EPCG aims to optimize the utilization of all renewable energy sources, alongside numerous new renewable energy projects.

The company plans to secure the flexibility of the power system with energy storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries, according to EPCG.

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September 5, 2025
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Romania begins overhaul to extend operating life of Cernavodă nuclear reactor by 30 years

An international consortium led by South Korean state-owned Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) has launched an overhaul of a reactor at Romania’s only nuclear power plant, Cernavodă. The refurbishment will extend the operating life of Cernavodă’s Unit 1 by 30 years.

The reactor, with a capacity of around 700 MW, has been in operation since 1996, and its 30-year license is set to expire in 2027. The reconstruction project is valued at about USD 2.01 billion, KHNP said following a groundbreaking ceremony.

Romania’s state-run Nuclearelectrica, the operator of the Cernavodă plant, signed an agreement with the consortium last December. The group of contractors includes KHNP, Canada’s AtkinsRealis, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and Italy’s Ansaldo Nucleare, according to Romania-Insider.

The works, targeted for completion by 2030, include the complete replacement of the reactor systems and power-generating turbines, as well as the construction of new infrastructure, including radioactive waste storage facilities, said KHNP, a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

The overhaul is targeted for completion by 2030

KHNP said that four other South Korean firms – Kepco Plant Service & Engineering, Doosan Enerbility, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, and Samsung C&T- will participate as project partners.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Romanian Minister of Energy Bogdan Ivan said the project would ensure another 30 years of on-grid, environmentally friendly electricity. According to him, it represents the future of Romania’s energy security, accoridng to a report by Profit.ro.

The overhaul will ensure another 30 years of environmentally friendly electricity

Over the last 10 years, Romania has shut down about 56% of its coal- and natural gas-fired capacity, resulting in the country now importing 22% of the electricity it consumes. According to Ivan, this has led Romania to look for alternatives, one of which is nuclear energy.

He recalled that the country was preparing to invest EUR 11 billion in the construction of Units 3 and 4 at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant, adding that “certain phases have already begun.” Ivan also said he believed that in seven years’ time, Romania could become a net exporter of electricity.

The two new reactors would each have a capacity of around 700 MW, according to earlier reports. Cernavodă’s Unit 2, which has been in operation since 2007, also has a capacity of around 700 MW.

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September 5, 2025
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Record solar panel imports in Africa: a lifeline for a continent where 600 million people lack electricity

Half of Africa’s population still lacks access to electricity, but a record surge in solar panel imports could signal a turning point. A report by the Ember research center shows a 60% increase in solar panel imports from China to Africa. Although it is too early to make forecasts, the report suggests that the solar boom could positively impact the power systems of many African countries.

As many as 570 million people in Africa still lack reliable access to electricity, which is almost half of the continent’s population. According to data from the Energy Progress Report, in 2022, 685 million people worldwide did not have access to electricity, meaning that Africa accounts for 80% of the global population without access.

While North African nations and countries like Ghana, Gabon, and South Africa have made progress, major challenges remain in Central Africa and the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, and Mauritania), where entire communities remain off the grid.

Solar energy could be an opportunity for Africa to skip the phase of relying on fossil fuels and make a significant step toward an energy transition. It is still too early to say if this process is already underway, but the latest report by Ember shows that solar power is gaining serious momentum.

The total imported capacity reached 15,032 MW

According to their analysis, from June 2024 to June 2025, solar panel imports from China to Africa increased by 60%. The total imported capacity during these 12 months amounted to 15,032 MW. Ember used Chinese customs data in the report because China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of solar panels, accounting for around 80% of the global output in 2024.

The last significant increase in solar imports was recorded in 2023, when South Africa experienced a solar boom due to its energy crisis. However, new data shows that interest in solar energy is spreading to other countries as well. Solar panel imports outside South Africa nearly tripled in the last two years, rising from 3,734 MW to 11,248 MW.

The report shows that a record solar panel import was set in as many as 20 African countries, while 25 countries imported at least 100 MW of solar capacity from June 2024 to June 2025.

Increasing solar panel imports could reduce fuel imports

Ember’s analysis suggests that solar could significantly contribute to electricity production in many African countries. If Sierra Leone installed all the panels imported in the last 12 months, it could produce the equivalent of 61% of its total electricity output from 2023. Similar results are seen in Chad — 49%.

In five countries, newly imported solar panels could contribute more than 10% of total electricity production from 2023: Liberia (25%), Somalia (15%), Eritrea (15%), Togo (11%), and Benin (10%). Overall, 16 countries have the potential to increase electricity production by at least 5%, according to the report.

In addition, solar panel imports can significantly reduce fossil fuel imports, especially diesel, on which many African countries still rely. According to 2022 research by Wood Mackenzie, 17 African countries had more diesel generator capacity than grid-connected power plants.

In some countries, such as Nigeria, if diesel imports for electricity production were stopped, savings could cover the cost of solar panels in approximately six months or even less.

Although solar expansion in Africa is accelerating, experts emphasize that the process is still in its early stages and that more data and research are needed to fully understand its potential.

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September 5, 2025
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Deep Adriatic temperatures already hit end-of-century estimates

For centuries, the Adriatic Sea has cooled the Mediterranean, but today it is sending warmer waters down south as it heats up much faster than projected. Deep water temperatures forecast for the end of the century are already being recorded, threatening ecosystems, the climate, and coastal communities, according to a study by scientists from Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia.

Data collected in the South Adriatic Pit, the deepest part of the Adriatic Sea, suggest the seawater temperature at a depth of 1,000 meters has increased 0.8°C over the past decade, with salinity rising by 0.2 PSU (Practical Salinity Units), according to Croatia’s Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI).

This may signal a permanent shift in the region’s climate patterns, RBI said. Importantly, the trend is accelerating: deep-water warming rates were once around 0.2°C per century, but between 2012 and 2024 they jumped to 0.8°C per decade, it stressed.

The Adriatic drives currents that ensure stability and oxygen supply to the depths of the Mediterranean

RBI explains that the Adriatic Sea acts as a natural “thermostat,” regulating temperature patterns throughout the Mediterranean basin. In winter, cold, dense waters in the shallow northern Adriatic sink to the seafloor and then flow through the Strait of Otranto into the deep Mediterranean. This process drives currents that ensure stability and oxygen supply to the depths of the Mediterranean Sea.

Today, however, the traditionally cold water formed along the Croatian coast is becoming increasingly warm and salty before beginning its southward journey. Instead of cooling the deep Mediterranean, the Adriatic now sends warmer waters that further heat the entire system, RBI explains.

Warmer waters threaten deep-sea fish and attract species from the eastern Mediterranean

The changes are already affecting biodiversity, particularly species adapted to life in deep, cold waters. Unlike terrestrial animals that can migrate north as the climate warms, deep-sea species remain stuck on the seafloor, according to Dr. Ivica Vilibić, co-author of a study based on the international research project.

At the same time, the warmer waters are attracting tropical species from the eastern Mediterranean, altering the entire ecosystem, he warns.

The problem is not just local – it could affect all of Europe

Moreover, these changes are not just a local Adriatic issue. They could affect the entire European climate system while contributing an additional 3.3 millimeters of sea-level rise per year, scientists estimate.

“Nature is warning us that something significant is happening,” says Vilibić, adding that scientists’ task is to understand these processes and help society prepare for the changes ahead.

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