Page 9 - AsiaElec Week 48 2022

AsiaElec NUCLEAR AsiaElec

South Koreans in running to expand

CEZ’s expansion of Dukovany NPP

SOUTH KOREA MAJORITY state-owned Czech energy utility quoted as saying.
CEZ received offers from France’s EDF, South Worldwide, nuclear power has been in
Korea’s KHNP and the US’ Westinghouse for decline for years , and high costs combined with
the construction of the 1200 MW third block long and complicated deliveries made further
at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. CEZ will investments discouraging. However, there was
now enter negotiations with the bidders and a 2% increase in 2021 and the war in Ukraine
final offers are expected by the end of September and the rush to escape from Russian energy
2023. dependence has prompted European cabinets to
The current centre-right cabinet of Prime review nuclear plans, including Germany, which
Minister Petr Fiala has largely taken up the heavy extended the life of its three remaining nuclear
nuclear investment investment plans of its pre- power plants over the winter, postponing the
decessor after bidders from China and Russia planned phase out.
were not invited to take part in the tender due to Unlike its neighbours in Germany and Aus-
security concerns. The nuclear expanision is set tria, Czechia has relied on nuclear power to
for completion in 2036. supply approximately one third of its electricity
This date, as well as the CZK160bn (€6.6bn) production. Last year Dukovany and Temelin
investment costs have been contested as unreal- sent 30.73 TWh of electricity to the power grid,
istic by energy analysts. which is a 3% increase year-on-year and nealy
However, CEZ management has been equal to the 2013 record when 30.75 TWh was
strongly backing the nuclear investment plans, sent to the power grid.
which altogether involve adding three blocks to Environmental and anti-corruption NGOs
the existing six at the Dukovany and Temelin have criticised the plans for the Dukovany
NPPs, as well as small modular reactors. nuclear tender. In June Calla NGO called on the
“We believe that the bidders have a strong cabinet to take more action in securing energy
interest in building a new nuclear power source savings measures and to make greater use of
in the Czech Republic”, and that “we have seen affordable renewable energy recourses ahead of
careful preparation from all bidders”, Director the winter.
of the CEZ New Energy Division Tomas Pleskac “The industry ministry’s prioritising of new
said in a press statement. nuclear reactors in Dukovany, which could
Just the day before receiving the initial offers be run in 2040 at the earliest, won’t secure our
Pleskac gave an interview to Czech Radio in energy independence from aggressive Russia,
which he claimed that the energy crisis will and won’t help us in the climate crisis either”,
lead to increased interest in the construction of Calla energy analyst Edvard Sequens said in a
new reactors. “It looks like a great renaissance June press statement. ™
of nuclear energy is going to take place” he was

Week 48 29•November•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P9