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Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom on 20 May confirmed to Tass to it retains is interest in the project to expand the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic.

“We have repeatedly stated that in the case of a tender for the expansion of Czech nuclear power plants, we will be happy to provide our best offer and create healthy market competition in the framework of this promising project with maximum localisation and in partnership with Czech companies. In February this year, at the invitation of CEZ, representatives Rosatom state corporations, along with other potential suppliers, took part in consultations, during which information was provided on Rosatom projects and business models,” the Rosatom official noted, according to reports in Tass.

The statement followed a report on 17 May in the Prague-based online publication Denikn, which said the Czech government had approved a secret document on 27 April, which would see Russian and Chinese companies excluded from bidding or the Dukovany project.

The Rosatom official noted that Russian-Czech nuclear cooperation has been developing for more than six decades. During this time, the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear plants were built, and more than a dozen projects around the world have been implemented in partnership with Czech firms.

In March, Czech power company CEZ submitted an application to the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) for permission to construct a new nuclear plant at the Dukovany site.

Six companies have expressed interest in building new nuclear units in the Czech Republic - China General Nuclear, EDF, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Rosatom, Westinghouse, and the Atmea consortium of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and EDF.

A supplier should be selected by 2022 and a construction permit issued by 2029 for operation in 2036.

The oldest of the two Czech nuclear plants, Dukovany, has four power units with a total capacity of 2040MW; they were commissioned in 1985-1987. Nuclear power accounts for around 35% of Czech Republic's electricity generation.

Date: Saturday, 23 May 2020
Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsrussia-confirms-interest-in-czech-dukovany-project-7936802