Slovakia's Nuclear Power Expansion Gains Momentum; IAEA Reviews Safety Progress

The IAEA completed an eight-day Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission from 2 to 9 November 2026 at the request of the Slovak Government.

Slovakia has made substantial progress in strengthening its nuclear and radiation safety regulations, according to a new assessment conducted by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The review comes as the country expands its nuclear energy programme, increasing the importance of effective oversight, regulatory independence and strong safety measures at nuclear facilities. International experts acknowledged improvements made since an earlier assessment in 2022, identifying achievements in regulatory coordination, radiation protection legislation and national nuclear safety policies.

The IAEA completed an eight-day Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission from 2 to 9 November 2026 at the request of the Slovak Government. Hosted by Slovakia's Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ÚJD SR), the mission examined how effectively national authorities had addressed recommendations and suggestions issued during the previous international review. The assessment involved five experts from Australia, Finland, Pakistan, Portugal and Romania, supported by three IAEA staff members.

The review found that Slovakia had successfully implemented 12 recommendations and eight suggestions from the original 23 recommendations and 10 suggestions issued in 2022. These 20 findings have now been formally closed, reflecting progress in improving the country's nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework. The remaining findings highlight areas requiring continued attention as Slovakia develops its nuclear energy infrastructure and prepares to bring additional electricity generation capacity into operation.

Nuclear Power Expansion Increases the Need for Strong Safety Oversight

Nuclear energy has become a major part of Slovakia's electricity supply, making the reliability and safety of its reactors especially important for national energy security. According to the IAEA, nuclear power generated 67.4% of the country's electricity last year, demonstrating its substantial contribution to domestic power production. Slovakia operates nuclear facilities at Mochovce and Jaslovské Bohunice, with additional reactor development increasing the responsibilities of national regulatory authorities.

Since the 2022 review, Slovakia has continued expanding its nuclear programme and authorised the commissioning of Mochovce Unit 4, which is expected to become fully operational during the first quarter of 2027. The expansion places additional demands on authorities responsible for ensuring that nuclear installations meet safety requirements throughout commissioning, operation and other stages of their lifecycle. Strong regulatory systems are essential for identifying potential risks, protecting workers and surrounding communities, and maintaining public confidence in nuclear electricity generation.

The IAEA's Integrated Regulatory Review Service evaluates national safety frameworks using internationally recognised safety standards and established regulatory practices. Its assessments examine how governments organise regulatory responsibilities, enforce safety requirements and coordinate institutions responsible for nuclear and radiation protection. Each country remains responsible for maintaining nuclear safety, with international reviews providing independent expertise and recommendations for improving existing systems.

Slovakia Improves Regulatory Coordination and Radiation Protection Laws

The review team identified several important developments demonstrating Slovakia's efforts to address weaknesses highlighted during the 2022 assessment. One achievement was the establishment of a committee intended to improve communication and cooperation among institutions responsible for nuclear, radiation and transport safety. Stronger coordination can help regulatory authorities manage overlapping responsibilities and respond more effectively to safety concerns involving radioactive materials and nuclear facilities.

Slovakia also amended its Act on Radiation Protection to strengthen regulatory oversight and revised its national policy document covering the safe use of nuclear energy and ionising radiation. These changes support clearer regulatory expectations and provide an updated framework for managing safety responsibilities across government institutions. Authorities also expressed political commitment to implementing international guidance concerning the import and export of radioactive sources and the safe management of radioactive sources that are no longer in use.

During the mission, international experts met representatives from the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Public Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport and other government institutions involved in safety oversight. IRRS Team Leader Uma Ramasamy praised the cooperation demonstrated by Slovak authorities and recognised the substantial effort invested in addressing earlier recommendations. She highlighted coordination between regulatory bodies as an important factor supporting improvements in the country's nuclear and radiation safety framework.

IAEA Calls for Greater Regulatory Independence and Adequate Resources

Despite recognising progress, the IAEA identified several outstanding challenges that Slovakia must address to strengthen its regulatory system. These include ensuring the effective independence of the Public Health Authority and its regional offices so that regulatory decisions can be made without inappropriate influence. The review also emphasised the importance of providing sufficient resources to public health authorities and the Ministry of Transport to fulfil their safety oversight responsibilities.

Marta Žiaková, Chairperson of Slovakia's Nuclear Regulatory Authority, described the follow-up mission as an important opportunity to exchange experience with international specialists and improve the country's safety framework. She reaffirmed Slovakia's commitment to strengthening nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety through cooperation with international regulatory organisations. IAEA Acting Director of the Division of Nuclear Installation Safety Kirsi Alm-Lytz also recognised the country's progress, noting that Slovakia had completed its second cycle of the IRRS review process.

The Slovakia assessment marked the 164th IRRS mission since the programme began operating in its current form 20 years ago, reflecting the continuing role of international cooperation in nuclear safety regulation. The IAEA expects to provide its final mission report to the Slovak Government in approximately three months, giving authorities a detailed record of progress and remaining areas requiring improvement. As Slovakia expands nuclear electricity production, strengthening regulatory independence, institutional capacity and safety oversight will remain essential for protecting people and the environment from radiation-related risks.