13 May (NucNet): Dukovany-2 and -3 will undergo extended checks on pipe welds this year in an effort to clear up any safety doubts, Czech utility ČEZ said. Welds at all four Dukovany units were checked in 2015 after it was found that X-ray checks by a subcontractor were flawed. The reason of the extension of checks is to avoid any doubts about the reliability and safety of the facilities, ČEZ said in a statement. ČEZ said the current outage at Dukovany-3, which began on 23 April, will now continue until 19 October. The planned shutdown of Dukovany-2 will begin September 16 and extend into 2017. ČEZ said Dukovany-4 should restart on 14 May following its recent shutdown. In March the Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety extended the operating licence of Dukovany-1 for an “indefinite” period. There are four Russian-designed VVER-440 units at the Dukovany site.
