NEWS

09.04.2010

Prime Minister Pahor visits Posavje

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Matej Lahovnik, and the Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Roko Žarnić, today on the working visit to Posavje first toured the construction site of the Krško hydroelectric power plant. Afterwards the Prime Minister met with the mayors from the Posavje region and those responsible for the construction of the chain of hydroelectric power plants on the lower Sava. They agreed to go ahead as planned with the project of hydroelectric power plants on the lower Sava and the construction of the Krško hydroelectric power plant. The national spatial plan for the Brežice hydroelectric power plant will be adopted at the latest by December or, if there are complications with Croatia, by January 2011.

(Photo: Matej Leskovšek/STA)

Prime Minister Pahor ended his visit to Posavje in the Krško Nuclear Power Plant where he explained that “it is in the interest of the state to complete the construction of facilities on the lower Sava as soon as possible in order to contribute to energy supply in Slovenia.” He estimates that with a share of nearly 24%, the Nuclear Power Plant is an important supplier of electricity. “Due to an upward trend in the consumption of electricity, we should start thinking about the possible sources of electricity for Slovenia in the future.” In the light of this, the Government is preparing a national energy plan to be discussed by the National Assembly in autumn. The proposal to start building the second block of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant will be included in this plan. “Without the second block, I do not see an adequate or independent energy source for the future,” stressed Prime Minister Pahor. Foreign investors are also interested in this project, which is additional proof that “the project is not only necessary but can also be economically efficient.” “The Government would like to have a dialogue with the local community and neighbouring countries about this project. If the National Assembly gives the green light to this project, all measures will have to be taken to implement it as soon as possible,” concluded the Prime Minister.