Production of nuclear energy had been at the forefront of the energy industry in Slovakia for more than fifty years. The first (then-Czechoslovak) nuclear power plant (NPP) in Jaslovské Bohunice was completed in 1972, while the most recent facility, the so-called 3rd block of the NPP Mochovce started operating in January this year after 36 years of construction (!) and the 4th block is due to be completed in the next two years. Being formerly a showcase of technological achievement of the Eastern bloc during communism, the nuclear energy industry has recently been privatized, first by the state-owned Italian energy giant, and later by domestic private investors. The construction of the 3rd and the 4th block of Mochovce, valued more than 6 billion euro, is by far the largest investment in the history of the country.
It is only natural that during the more-than-half-a-century history of nuclear energy production, many conflicting views on the topic emerged. On the one hand, the NPPs are a relatively cheap source of energy, providing stability to the power grid Europe-wide, and a considerable financial profit to the owners, and via taxation, to the government. Moreover, production of nuclear energy was always connected to a certain kind of national pride. Political views also play a role. Considerable part of Slovak citizens oppose EU-sanctioned environmental policies such as the Green Deal, being perceived as harmful for the economy and broader national interests.
On the other hand, there has been a long-term criticism mainly due to the environmental and safety issues. Especially strong is the public voice in the neighboring Austria, leading to a nearly absolute dismissal of this energy source by the political leadership as well as various activist groups and environmental organizations. Many industry experts and scientists regularly assure that the nuclear facilities are safe to operate, but given the sad reality of the nuclear disasters in Chernobyl in 1986 and in Fukushima in 2011, the concerns amongst general public persist.
Zuzana Pustaiová, the author of this project, was born near the NPP Mochovce a couple of years after its construction started, and lived there until coming of age. During her upbringing, she witnessed the better and the worse times of the facility. Relocation of local inhabitants (the whole former village of Mochovce was demolished, owing to the construction), local newspaper articles discussing the NPP’s safety and security, public protests, but also economic growth, as many locals, including Pustaiová’s relatives and friends, have been employed in the power plant through the years.
For her entire life, Pustaiová’s attitude to the NPP Mochovce, and nuclear energy as such, has been ranging from reluctant acceptance of the NPP’s existence to the hard-to-control feelings of anxiety, having concerns related to the safety of the power plant. She researched articles in the historical newspapers and led informal conversations with the current and former NPP employees, gathering accounts of various safety incidents that actually happened but never made it to the public. She quickly found out that it is practically impossible for her, not being a nuclear nor environmental expert, to objectively assess and judge the risks related to NPP operation and the potential impact of the incidents she heard of. She therefore decided to reflect artistically the ways in which public opinion (including her own) on the NPP is formed, rather than concentrate on the scientific background. The nuclear power plant’s complexity is immense, in some aspects perhaps inconceivable even by experienced professionals, let alone general public. Although the safety of operation is controlled by government agencies, and the quality of publicly available information and scientific data has much improved, other ways of informing public do exist. These are ranging from gossip through imprecise communication of the media about safety risks, through deliberate manipulation and maybe even concealing of evidence in order to keep the public debate under control and, ultimately, maintain economic and political power. Although some of these accounts may seem anecdotal, historical accidents have been investigated and documented, and they teach us to be vigilant. Not only do nuclear accidents cause deaths, injuries, environmental damage and economic losses. They also have dire political implications, hence a strong need for public scrutiny that is likely to be opposed by some of the stakeholders.
Branislav Štepánek
curator
Apocalyptic View (2020) The view from the hill Veľký Inovec (901 m). „I visit this place with my friends very often. Most of the time we buy hot bean soup, tea with rum, and then we sit on a bench in front of a tourist stall and talk. As we enjoy the amazing view, we joke that in the event of a nuclear accident, we’d like to watch the apocalyptic scene from here, from this incredibly calm/soothing place.“ Model Situation (2023) A photograph of a woman in makeshift protection gear might strike us as ridiculous. The idea behind the photograph is to ironically reflect the fact that most of the inhabitants living in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant have no idea how to behave in the event of a nuclear incident. Nonetheless, a protective suit such as the one depicted here is extremely effective, and even the best option among materials readily available in a domestic context. Although plastic does not prevent the penetration of of gamma rays, it can be very effective in preventing radioactive dust particles from coming into contact with clothing and skin. After leaving the contaminated zone, the suit must, however, be rinsed thoroughly with running water such that the particles are washed away. This significantly diminishes their devastating effect on living tissue. Fuel Loading(2022) On May 13, 2021, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic issued a license to commission Unit 3 of the Mochovce nuclear power plant. This decision was preceded by a number of technical checks and tests. Fuel loading in Unit 3 was executed between September 9 and September 12, 2022, using the strictest safety measures.
Slovenské elektrárne, the company which owns the nuclear power plant Mochovce, informs the public regularly on activities at the nuclear facilities through short informational videos published on the Internet. These are intended to display the openness and professional care with which employees, plant management and regulatory authorities carry out their responsibilities by ensuring the safety of the nuclear power infrastructure. Power Plant Employee Ľubomír (1983-2024), team leader in the Republic Repository of Radioactive Waste. Is working for a nuclear power plant safe? According to Kate Brown in her book Chernobyl: A Survival Guide (2019) : “High doses of radiation cause capillary contraction on the skin’s surface, making faces appear unnaturally white, as if powdered.” Obsession The silhouette of the hundred-and-twenty-five-meter high cooling towers set in an undulating landscape gives an impression of divine perfection. Just looking at them can become an obsession. „I look at the towers every time I return home. I walk around them and take pictures from different angles and in different weather conditions, even though photography of nuclear power plant structures is strictly forbidden.“ Danger: Explosion The image of an explosion is a characteristic visual sign symbolizing danger. Although explosives have predominantly peaceful uses, they make headlines mainly in connection with armed conflicts, industrial or natural disasters. The red title reads: “Will the atomic plant be safe?” If a photograph of dynamite exploding a field obstacle is accompanied by a suggestive newspaper headline referring to the safety of a nuclear device, a significant portion of readers will begin to feel fear. The emotional response to danger has been calibrated by evolution over millions of years, and it suppresses rationality in humans regardless of education and social status. T V N O V I N Y, J A N U A R Y 1 5 , 2 0 2 5 Do people feel safe living in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant? When TV news features what appear to be interviews with random individuals, the media invariably generate a biased perspective that supports a particular view of the NPP. Viewers of such news coverage should exercise critical judgment and grasp the underlying context.
Safety Report (2022) The International Atomic Energy Agency has been conducting a regular assessment of the pre-operational safety of the nuclear power plant Mochovce, Unit 3. In an executive summary, it identifies areas where Unit 3 management has demonstrated good performance in implementing operational safety improvements. It also includes a number of recommendations to further improve the plant’s safety. The implementation of corrective actions is a highly professional activity. If the summary is read by lay readers or a journalist who has not studied nuclear facilities in depth, they may get the impression of increased threat, though only an expert is able to assess the actual level of risk. A responsible approach by journalists is required in processing and publishing information on nuclear risks. The public should address their potential concerns to the institutions designated for this purpose and not spread alarmist messages on social networks and among acquaintances.
