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Slovenia cancels referendum on brand-new nuclear plant

Slovenian lawmakers on Thursday voted to cancel a referendum on developing a new nuclear plant after environmental groups and specialists submitted complaints questioning its legality at the constitutional court.

The new JEK 2 plant was because of be built next to Slovenia's existing Krsko nuclear power plant, which is jointly owned by Slovenia and Croatia and meets about 20% of the electrical energy demand in Slovenia and 16% in Croatia.

Sixty-nine MPs in the 90-seat parliament voted to cancel the public referendum, one protested and one avoided ballot. The referendum had actually been because of occur on Nov. 24.

Earlier this month, Slovenia's parliament chose to call the referendum with the concern: Do you support the application of the JEK 2 project, which together with other low-carbon sources will make sure a stable supply of electrical power?

However public criticism of both the concern and the project led the parliamentary groups to withdraw their assistance for the referendum.

Lawmakers stated there were valid doubts about whether voters might make a notified, autonomous and accountable choice on such a problem.

I am personally satisfied that there will be no referendum, Slovenia's President Natasa Pirc Musar was priced estimate as stating by state STA news company. I will always emphasize that significantly more info is needed for such a. referendum.

However observers say the cancellation of the referendum next. month does not mean it might not take place at a later time.

The federal government has stated it will work on the preparation of a. unique law on JEK 2, which the state-owned GEN Energija will. continue working on the development of the task, which has. been approximated to cost between 9.6 billion euros ($ 10.37. billion) and 15.4 billion euros.

Slovenia and Croatia agreed in 2023 to extend the life-span. of the Krsko plant by 20 years up until 2043. The thermal power. capacity of Krsko is 1,994 Megawatts (MW) with net power output. of 696 MW.

(source: Reuters)