Visit to Jožef Stefan Institute in Slovenia. Photo by Marjan Verč, Jozef Stefan Institute
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV visited Slovenia on 8-10 September 2025 to meet with senior government officials, nuclear industry stakeholders and tour nuclear energy and research facilities.
Director-General Magwood met with Prime Minister Robert Golob to discuss Slovenia’s participation in NEA activities and potential collaboration in the field of nuclear education and training as the country considers the possible construction of new nuclear capacity.
Director-General Magwood meets with Prime Minister Golob (left) and Minister for Environment, Climate and Energy Kumer (right)
His meeting with Bojan Kumer, Minister for Environment, Climate and Energy, focused on Slovenia’s energy strategy, government plans for the second unit of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, small modular reactors (SMRs), as well as co-operation and knowledge sharing in the field of nuclear safety and development. He also exchanged views in a meeting with Danijel Levičar, State Secretary for Nuclear Programme on national and global challenges and opportunities in the nuclear energy sector and future co-operation.
From left to right: Igor Sirc, Director of Nuclear Safety Administration, William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General, and Miran Gajšek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning
He held additional in-depth discussions with several other key officials including Miran Gajšek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, Igor Sirc, Director of Nuclear Safety Administration, and Jure Gašparič, State Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Tour of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant
Nuclear research and education activities in Slovenia were also highlighted during a visit to the Jožef Stefan Institute, a leading scientific institution in the country. Led by Director Prof. Leon Cizelj, the visit included a tour of the center’s TRIGA reactor, a thermal-hydraulics laboratory and the Educational Centre for Nuclear Technology.
The Director-General also visited the Krško Nuclear Power Plant which is jointly owned by Slovenia and Croatia. The potential construction of a second unit in Krško (JEK2) was discussed with the delegation from Slovenian power company GEN Energija, led by CEO Dejan Paravan.
Finally, the Director-General delivered opening remarks at the Nuclear Energy for New Europe (NENE) Conference in Bled, and met with many of Slovenia’s nuclear sector stakeholders.
Director-General Magwood delivers opening remarks at NENE 2025 in Bled, Slovenia. Photo by Marjan Verč, Jozef Stefan Institute
