Nuclear power in the Czech Republic

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Dukovany

Temelín

Nuclear power stations in the
Czech Republic (view)

Active plants

Future plants

On the area of the Czech Republic are two active nuclear power stations: Temelín and Dukovany. As of 2006 no decision to expand existing power stations or built new ones (or the opposite, to reduce the use of nuclear energy) has been made on government level. If the usage of nuclear energy will be expanded the plans prepared during 1980s will be probably reused.

1 History
2 Proposed expansion
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] History

In 1956 a decision was made to build the first nuclear power station in Czechoslovakia in Jaslovské Bohunice (western Slovakia). KS 150 reactor (120 MWe), more known as A1, designed in the Soviet Union and produced in Czechoslovakia was selected because of its ability to use unenriched uranium mined in Czechoslovakia (see Uranium mining in Czechoslovakia). The construction, burdened by many problems, took unexpected 16 years. In 1972 the plant was activated, in 1977 an accident stopped the energy production and since 1979 the whole structure is being dismantled.

In 1970 an agreement with Soviet Union was made to build two power stations based on VVER reactor. One plant was built again in Jaslovské Bohunice, the other in Dukovany (southern Moravia), both equipped with four reactors VVER 440 v. 213 producing 440 MWe each. The first new reactor in Jaslovské Bohunice was activated in 1978, the remaining 7 during 1980s.

At the end of 1970s decision was made to build two more power stations: Temelín (southern Bohemia, 4 x VVER 1000, 1000 MWe) and Mochovce (southern Slovakia, 4 x VVER 440 v. 213, 440 MWe). Due to politically motivated decision by the government led by Petr Pithart in 1990 the Temelín station was reduced to two reactors. The construction of Temelín also suffered from delays and was over the budget.

The fluoride volatility method of reprocessing for used nuclear fuel was developed at the Řež nuclear research institute at Řež. ^[1] ^[2] ^[3]

[edit] Proposed expansion

The easiest expansion of nuclear energy usage would be finishing the abandoned two blocks in Temelín station. A recommendation by the Ministry of Industry suggested in 2005 to add two 600 MWe reactors before year 2025. ^[4]

Several locations in the Czech lands were investigated and selected for new stations during the 1980s: village Blahutovice (northern Moravia, near Ostrava), village Tetov (eastern Bohemia, near Pardubice), town Mníšek pod Brdy (central Bohemia) and even a nuclear heating plant in Prague-Radotín.^[5]

[edit] Blahutovice

Blahutovice, a village located in an isolated, poor and thinly populated area, was selected in 1986 because of convenient geological conditions. A power station (JEBL) with two VVER 1000 reactors was proposed together with a new dam in Hustopeče nad Bečvou. In year 2000 no construction was expected before year 2015, if ever.

[edit] Tetov

Initially, Opatovice nad Labem (place with a large coal powered power plant) was selected but since the place is located between two large cities Hradec Králové and Pardubice a more distant village Tetov was chosen (one plan had suggested to build a nuclear heating plant in Opatovice nad Labem instead).

The power station on area of 150 hectares was to have two or four VVER 1000 reactors, producing 1000 MWe each and also providing heating for the Hradec Králové-Pardubice agglomeration and for Prague (using a 67 km long steam pipeline). Construction was to be started in 1996 and the reactors activated between 2004 - 2008. The cost was estimated to be 60 billion (10⁹) Kčs.^[6]

[edit] Nuclear waste storage

Nuclear waste produced by the power stations (and by the other smaller reactors in the country) is currently exported to Russia (to Soviet Union before 1991) who is the supplier of enriched uranium. The programme from 1980s recommended to build an underground storage to keep the waste for reprocessing in the future. The geological explorations has started during the second half of 1990s. Eleven location has been preliminary selected but the process is not finished, as of 2006. A possibility to store the waste within area of Temelín station is considered.

[edit] Position of the public

Most of the Czech public supports further expansion of nuclear power use (60% in 2007 ^[7]) seeing it as the only realistic chance to deal with the future energy crisis.

Those living near the considered power stations or nuclear waste storages invariably disagree (see the NIMBY phenomenon). They argue that mere existence of such plans blocks development of the area, discourages investments and reduces attractiveness of the place for tourists. Several villages had organized referendums against the planned waste storages and regional governments try to put legal and organizational obstacles against new stations.