UJD: We'll Allow No Shortcomings at EMO34 Completion

Bratislava, September 5 (TASR) - The Nuclear Supervisory Authority (UJD) will make sure that no flaws that could lead to a nuclear accident will appear during the completion of the third and fourth reactor blocks at the Mochovce nuclear power plant (EMO34), stated UJD chair Marta Ziakova in response to recent statements by the non-parliamentary party Progressive Slovakia (PS) about flaws discovered at the EMO34 construction site. "What I would reproach the former majority owner of electricity utility Slovenske elektrarne (SE) for is that it didn't place more emphasis on managing the construction of the EMO. This has resulted in the lack of necessary co-operation between the individual suppliers, which basically led to delays in the construction work," said Ziakova. The UJD chair pointed out that SE invited the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) to carry out an audit at EMO34. "This mission focuses on the company's readiness to operate a nuclear power plant, so it's not related to the construction work and quality of the nuclear power plant. The WANO mission has already taken place, it has provided recommendations and it will come again before the launch of EMO," said Ziakova, adding that a substantial part of the WANO results are not available for the public. However, if any serious flaws are discovered, the association will publish them," she said. Ziakova also confirmed that the third reactor block at the Mochovce nuclear power plant should be put into operation in the first half of 2019. All depends on the tests that are still being carried out, said the UJD chair. On Tuesday (September 4) Martin Hojsik of Progressive Slovakia pointed out that the current state of EMO34 differs a lot from the initial project. The non-parliamentary party also demanded that an audit by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be carried out before the launch of EMO34. tz/mcs