In Dukovany, new units could be built in 2035

Dukovany (Třebíčsko) - The company ČEZ would like to build two new production units in Dukovany by 2035. Each unit should have a capacity of at least 1200 megawatts, thus replacing the electricity supply from all four current Dukovany units after they are decommissioned. This was said to reporters today by the plant director Zdeněk Linhart. The dismantling of the current nuclear facilities should be carried out by ČEZ's plans by no later than 2045.
    "We must take into account that ahead of shutting down the old units, the new units must be operational," the director pointed out. He added that the preparation for the construction of new nuclear facilities will take about 15 years. However, a decision on their construction has not yet been made. "I am convinced that the government will soon approve a strategy that will allow ČEZ to build new nuclear units," Linhart stated.
    According to Linhart, new nuclear sources will be needed in the Czech Republic, as after the decommissioning of Dukovany there may be a shortage of electricity due to increasing consumption. "We say that the only solution is the construction of new nuclear power plants not only in Temelín but also in Dukovany, unless we utilize new locations," he said. According to him, there are two more locations identified for building nuclear power plants in the country; however, the necessary infrastructure for nuclear facilities has already been created in Temelín and Dukovany, according to Linhart.
    The first nuclear unit in Dukovany was put into operation in 1985. The plant's lifespan was initially planned for 30 years, but due to long-term modernization of the facilities, ČEZ expects to extend this period up to double. "The safety and reliability of the plant is at a world standard," emphasized Linhart.
    ČEZ receives a ten-year license for the operation of each unit. It plans to shut down the current units in 2025 or 2035, with the latest deadline for ending their operation set for 2045. "Today we have the management's blessing to launch the first project for the operation of the plant by 2025, looking ahead to 2035," Linhart stated.
    According to Linhart, the new units in Dukovany should have next-generation technology and occupy a smaller area. Such facilities have not yet been commissioned in the world; only four companies can design and manufacture them. Linhart admitted that the construction of new nuclear units in Dukovany will likely be opposed by the Austrians, as the environmental impact of this project will be assessed at an international level. "But every problem can be solved somehow, and I am convinced we will solve it," he added.
    ČEZ has also recently begun preparations for the expansion of its second nuclear power plant in Temelín in southern Bohemia. The start of construction of two units is expected in 2013, with the first expected to be completed in 2020. In terms of capacity, the company is considering four alternatives. The weakest considers a capacity of 1000 megawatts for each unit, which is the capacity of each of the existing two units in Temelín. The strongest variant speaks of 1700 megawatts for each unit.
    In connection with the current gas crisis, experts are increasingly talking about greater use of nuclear energy to ensure that the Czech Republic is not so dependent on foreign energy resources. However, the current government has a point in its program statement stating that it will not support the construction of additional nuclear sources. The coalition Greens are mainly opposed to nuclear energy.