The Czech Republic is seeking to extend the operating life of the Dukovany nuclear power station into the mid-2060s after safety analysis indicated the plant can run longer than originally planned.
Dukovany’s four reactors could run for a total of 80 years, according to Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek, meaning they could operate until around 2065 to 2067, subject to continued investment. Prior to the analysis, power utility CEZ AS had expected operations to last 60 years.
“Eighty-year operation is starting to become a trend in the world,” CEZ Chief Executive Officer Daniel Benes said Thursday at a press briefing alongside Havlicek. “We see this as realistic in our country, assuming regular evaluation of the condition of the facility and safety of operation.”
The landlocked country, which has limited options for wind and solar power, is hoping atomic energy can help it reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Dukovany’s four reactors were commissioned in the mid-1980s and CEZ has been gradually carrying out upgrades and extending the plant’s life.
The government also plans to add new reactors at the Dukovany site, where Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. has been selected as the preferred bidder in a multibillion-dollar tender for two units. It expects the first to start operating in 2036.
Source: Bloomberg