(Updates with details, background)
LJUBLJANA, March 30 (Reuters) - Slovenia's only nuclear power plant Krsko (NEK) restarted on Wednesday after it shut down automatically on March 23 for safety reasons, NEK said.
"The plant was restarted at 3 in the morning and its power is gradually being increased. The shut down had no influence on the people living nearby or on the environment," spokeswoman Ida Novak Jerele told Reuters.
The shut down took place due to an unexpected halt in the power line towards Zagreb. Last week the restart of the plant was delayed due to problems in the oil systems which have now been resolved.
The 696 MW plant, which produces some 5 billion kWh of electricity per year, is jointly owned by European Union member Slovenia and its neighbour Croatia, and was built by U.S. Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
It started operating in 1983 and is scheduled to close down in 2023. However, the Slovenian government may decide to prolong its lifespan by 20 years. (Reporting by Marja Novak)