Czech energy company EZ, together with French Framatome, will develop fuel for the Dukovany nuclear power plant operating in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, ČTK reported.
"This project represents a strategic investment in the Dukovany nuclear power plant and in the future of the entire Czech energy sector. Active participation in fuel development will allow us to better manage key supply chains and ensure the long-term safe operation of the plant," said Bogdan Zronek, member of the board of directors and head of the nuclear energy division of EZ, quoted by the agency.
As follows from the announcement, specialists from Slovakia, Hungary and Finland also participated in the implementation of the project. Currently, the Dukovany NPP is serviced by Rosatom's fuel company TVEL. Last year, the plant received its first delivery of nuclear fuel from the American energy company Westinghouse.
The Dukovany NPP has four power units with Soviet-made VVER 440 reactors, each with a capacity of 512 megawatts. They were put into operation between 1985 and 1987. EZ, the operator of the Czech nuclear power plants, plans to operate them for a total of at least 60 years.
The Temelín nuclear power plant in the south of the Czech Republic is also located, which was put into operation in 2002. Both plants were built with the help of Moscow. The Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia signed the corresponding agreement in 1970.