4 Feb (NucNet): The Czech Republic is unlikely to hold a tender to build new nuclear power reactors this year because the financing structure has still not been decided, industry minister Marta Novakova said on Sunday.
The government and electricity producer ČEZ, which is 70% owned by the state, have been discussing possible methods of financing the construction of new units. ČEZ has said it will not invest in new nuclear without some form of state support.
“If we take into consideration what lies ahead of us, then I personally think that it is not entirely realistic this year, that means to have the tender launched,” Ms Novakova said in a debate aired by public Czech Television.
“The question of state support will be quite significant. It will have to be part of the tender,” she said.
Czech state energy policy calls for one new unit at Dukovany and possibly three more either at Dukovany or Temelín.
The Czech Republic has six commercially operational Russia-designed reactor units: four VVER-440 units at the Dukovany site and two VVER-1000 units at Temelín.
Reports in the Czech Republic at the weekend said ČEZ is exploring the option of extending the operational lifetime of units at Dukovany to 2045.
This would ensure the continuity of supply while a decision is made on new build, Dukovany director Milos Stepanovski told Czech Radio.
The country’s energy strategy assumes that the four units, which began commercial operation from 1985 to 1987, will be closed by 2035.
