Slovakia Connects Mochovce-4 to Grid as Nuclear Expansion Accelerates Across Europe and Asia
Slovakia’s new Mochovce-4 nuclear reactor connected to the power grid on October 15 at 20-percent power output, generating electricity for the first time, Slovenské Elektrárne reported. The Russian-designed VVER-440 unit is slated to reach an eventual total capacity of 471 MWe, adding to a national fleet where five operating reactors already generate more than 60 percent of the country’s electricity.
Construction on Mochovce units 3 and 4 began back in 1986 before work stalled in 1992. Unit 3 eventually started commercial operation in 2023, while Unit 4 reached criticality in August. According to Slovenské Elektrárne, operators must still synchronize a second turbine generator and complete a series of tests at each power level before the reactor can climb to 100-percent output.
Poland Advances Pątnów Nuclear Plant Project With GE Vernova Hitachi Reactors
Warsaw-based reactor project developer SGE signed an agreement with Polish energy group ZE PAK to establish a joint venture named PAK BWRX S.A. The partnership will develop a nuclear power plant featuring six BWRX-300 small modular reactors designed by GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Planned for the site of a retiring coal-fired power plant in Pątnów, the facility will generate approximately 1,800 MW of electricity.
This initiative represents just one of several nuclear development projects SGE is pursuing in Poland through cooperative agreements with U.S. and Canadian firms. Meanwhile, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe commissioned Westinghouse to order long-lead items for Poland’s planned first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania’s Choczewo municipality. That project will host three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, with the initial procurement covering six key nuclear island components including the reactor containment vessel.
Rosatom Plans Floating Nuclear Power Plants for Indonesia
Negotiations between Rosatom and the Indonesian government encompass an initial deployment phase focused on small-scale floating units, followed by a second phase featuring land-based facilities with large reactors. Rosatom plans to retain ownership and operation of the floating power plants while the Indonesian government pays for the generated electricity.
China Initiates Hot Functional Tests for Linglong One SMR Project
Hot functional tests are underway at the Changjiang nuclear power plant in China’s Hainan province for the Linglong One ACP100 small modular reactor demonstration project, according to the China News Service. These evaluations raise the temperature of the reactor coolant system to verify that safety systems and coolant circuits operate correctly ahead of planned fuel loading within the coming year. First concrete for the 125-MWe project was poured in July 2021, following the completion of cold functional tests in October 2025.
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