The Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) will cover the cost from own funds, NEK chairman Stane Rožman told reporters in Krško on Monday as he presented the scheduled outage at the end of the 26th fuel cycle.

Apart from refuelling, the operator will conduct a series of maintenance and preventive works, as well as a comprehensive safety and technological upgrade comprising a total of 30 improvements.

Among the most demanding projects, Rožman cited the replacement of one of two transformers, the second stage of modernisation of a 380-kilovolt switchyard and replacement of the temperature measuring system in the primary compartment.

Rožman also highlighted safety upgrades that would enable ventilation and reduction of pressure on the containment structure in the extreme and unlikely circumstances and minimum emission of radioactive products in the environment.

The operation will involve 1,500 external contractors from 40 companies, according to Rožman, who also mentioned additional smaller projects to ensure NEK's safe operation in the next 18-month period.

In the period running since May 2012, the operator met its annual plans by generating almost 8 million MWh of electricity. The operation was successful and stable without issues or incidents impacting on nuclear safety or affecting the environment, Rožman said, adding that there were two brief outages.