Krško Nuclear Plant Operates at Full Capacity Amid European Heatwave

The Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) in Slovenia is maintaining full operational capacity despite a European heatwave that has forced temporary shutdowns at nuclear facilities in countries like France and Switzerland. NEK reported that the current heatwave has not hindered its ability to operate its reactor at full power.

The plant emphasized its commitment to "safe and stable operation at full power while strictly adhering to all environmental limits, including those related to the Sava River." This adherence is crucial, especially during periods of high temperatures and low river flow, which can quickly approach regulatory limits.

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NEK has maintained "safe and stable operation at full power while strictly adhering to all environmental limits, including those related to the Sava River."

While electricity production aligned with its annual plan, the plant acknowledged that the actual amount of electricity fed into the grid is lower than it would be under normal conditions. This reduction is attributed to the weather's impact on efficiency. NEK utilizes water from the Sava River for cooling, and when river temperatures rise and flow decreases, the plant must activate its cooling towers. This process, while managing the thermal load on the river, leads to increased internal power consumption and a thermodynamic efficiency decrease in the secondary circuit, resulting in a slightly lower power output at the plant's threshold.

Currently, the Sava River's temperature is lower than during a previous heatwave, though its flow remains low due to a lack of rainfall. The plant is closely monitoring these conditions to ensure continued safe and compliant operations.

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At high temperatures and low flows, these limits are reached more quickly, so the plant gradually activates cooling towers and thus reduces the thermal load on the river, which is reflected in a slightly lower power output at the plant's threshold, both due to increased own consumption and lower thermodynamic efficiency of the secondary circuit, which depends on the cooling water of the tertiary circuit.