Westinghouse launches AP1000 reactor engineering study in Slovakia with U.S. government funding
Westinghouse Electric Company kicked off a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study for one AP1000® reactor at Jaslovské Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant in Slovakia on October 28, 2026. The study was commissioned by JESS — a wholly owned subsidiary of state-owned JAVYS, the entity responsible for developing Slovakia’s new nuclear plant — and it’s partially funded by a U.S. Department of State FIRST Program grant.
Westinghouse begins six-month FEED study at Bohunice site
The FEED study launched on October 28, 2026, covering one AP1000® reactor at Jaslovské Bohunice over a six-month window.
The client is JESS — Jadrová energetická spoločnosť Slovenska — a wholly owned subsidiary of state-owned JAVYS. JAVYS holds responsibility for developing Slovakia’s new nuclear plant, making JESS the direct counterpart on this project.
The Bohunice FEED fits directly into that national strategy, and Westinghouse frames it as a meaningful step toward the country’s energy independence goals.
Part of the financing comes from a U.S. Department of State FIRST Program grant. FIRST stands for Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology, a program built to support civil nuclear development in partner countries. That funding connection gives the study a bilateral dimension reaching well beyond a standard commercial contract.
Why the study was commissioned: Energy independence and U.S.-Slovakia cooperation
Slovakia’s core motivation is straightforward: reduce dependence on foreign energy sources. The Bohunice FEED fits directly into that national strategy, and Westinghouse frames it as a meaningful step toward the country’s energy independence goals.
The project doesn’t stand alone. An intergovernmental agreement between Slovakia and the United States provides the formal framework underpinning the cooperation — and that agreement is what makes U.S. government financing through the FIRST Program possible in the first place.
JESS CEO Tomáš Vavruška was direct about what the study means. “The start of work on the FEED study marks a significant milestone for JESS and brings the preparation of the new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice one step closer to implementation,” he said. For JESS, it’s a concrete step toward eventually deciding whether to move forward with full AP1000 deployment at the site.
What the study will produce and how results will be used
The six-month study is designed to advance engineering, licensing, and project planning activities simultaneously. That’s a broad scope, but it reflects where the project stands — JESS needs a comprehensive picture before committing to next steps.
On the output side, the study will deliver detailed technical and project documentation, including a preliminary schedule and a budget estimate. Those two deliverables are what any project owner needs before making a major capital decision.
Vavruška described the results as “an important basis for deciding on the next steps in the project.” The FEED isn’t a commitment to build. It’s a structured way to assess whether and how building makes sense at this specific site.
Petr Brzezina, President of Westinghouse Czech and Slovakia, put the economic case alongside the energy security argument. “Not only would an AP1000 plant at Jaslovské Bohunice deliver real economic benefits and high-quality jobs to Slovakia for generations, it can also foster the country’s energy independence,” he said. Job creation and long-term economic impact are common talking points in nuclear project discussions, and Brzezina keeps both in play here.
AP1000 technology: Design features and global deployment context
The AP1000 has one technical distinction worth calling out: it’s the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems. Rather than relying on active pumps and power supplies to manage emergency cooling, it uses natural forces — gravity, convection — to do the job. That’s a genuine design difference compared to older reactor generations.
The AP1000 also features modular construction and the smallest footprint per megawatt-electric among large-scale reactors currently on the market. Modular construction can cut on-site build time considerably, while a smaller footprint opens up more siting options.
Six AP1000 reactors are currently running worldwide, with Westinghouse reporting they’re setting performance and availability records. Another 14 are under construction. Poland, Bulgaria, and Ukraine have all selected the AP1000 for their nuclear energy programs, and it’s under consideration at additional sites across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Slovakia’s Bohunice project would join a growing list of countries evaluating or committing to the same platform.
What this means for the Bohunice project
Westinghouse Nuclear has started a six-month FEED study for one AP1000® reactor at Jaslovské Bohunice, working for JESS under a framework backed by both the Slovak and U.S. governments. Partial funding comes from the U.S. Department of State’s FIRST Program, which reflects the bilateral nature of the arrangement.
When the study wraps, it’ll hand JESS technical documentation, a preliminary schedule, and a budget estimate — outputs that directly inform the decision on whether to push the project further. Slovakia’s goal throughout is energy independence, and the AP1000’s passive safety design, modular construction approach, and expanding global deployment record position it at the center of that ambition. The next real decision point arrives roughly six months from launch.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
