Nuclear power in the Czech Republic

Nuclear power in the Czech Republic
Country	Czech Republic
Capacity	4,326 MWe
Generation	28.7 TWh (2022)
Percent	36.9% (2022)

Nuclear power in the Czech Republic provides a substantial portion of the nation's electricity, serving as a cornerstone of its energy security and low-carbon strategy. The country operates six VVER reactors across two sites, Dukovany and Temelín, with plans for significant expansion. Managed primarily by the state-owned utility ČEZ, the nuclear sector is a major focus of national energy policy and industrial activity.

History

The development of nuclear energy in the region began under the communist government of Czechoslovakia, with early research conducted at institutions like the Nuclear Research Institute Řež. The first large-scale power plant, the Dukovany facility, was constructed with Soviet technology and began operation in 1985. The subsequent Temelín plant, also based on Soviet VVER designs, faced significant delays and protests after the Velvet Revolution and was not completed until the early 2000s. The split of Czechoslovakia in 1993 left all operational reactors within the borders of the new Czech Republic.

Current status

As of 2024, nuclear power is the largest single source of electricity in the Czech Republic, consistently providing over one-third of annual generation. The six operational reactors—four at Dukovany and two at Temelín—are all pressurized water reactors of the VVER type. The operator ČEZ has undertaken extensive modernization and lifetime extension programs for the existing fleet. The government, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has approved plans for new reactor construction as part of its updated State Energy Policy.

Power plants

The Dukovany Nuclear Power Station, located in the Vysočina Region, houses four VVER-440 reactors that began operation between 1985 and 1987. The Temelín Nuclear Power Station, situated in South Bohemia, operates two larger VVER-1000 units, commissioned in 2000 and 2002. Both plants are undergoing safety upgrades and power uprates overseen by the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB). A former research reactor, the LR-0, operates at the Research Centre Řež.

Fuel cycle and waste management

Nuclear fuel for the Czech reactors has been supplied primarily by the Russian company TVEL, though diversification efforts are underway with Westinghouse. Spent fuel is initially stored in on-site spent fuel pools at Dukovany and Temelín before transfer to a centralized interim storage facility operated by the state-owned company Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (SÚRAO). The long-term strategy, mandated by the Atomic Act, is the development of a deep geological repository, with candidate sites undergoing evaluation in locations such as Březový potok.

Economics and policy

Nuclear energy is central to the Czech Republic's strategy for achieving energy independence and meeting European Union climate targets. The government, through the Ministry of Industry and Trade, provides political and financial support for new builds, including proposed state-backed loans and contracts for difference. The expansion plan focuses on new units at the existing Dukovany site, with potential vendors including Westinghouse, EDF, and KHNP. The European Commission must approve the state aid model for the project.

Public opinion

Public support for nuclear energy in the Czech Republic has traditionally been among the highest in the European Union, though it fluctuates with political events and reactor construction debates. Major anti-nuclear protests occurred during the completion of the Temelín plant, often involving cross-border activism with neighboring Austria. Recent surveys conducted by agencies like STEM generally show majority support for maintaining and expanding nuclear capacity, viewed as crucial for stable electricity prices and reducing dependence on fossil fuels from nations like Russia.

Category:Nuclear power by country Category:Energy in the Czech Republic Category:Nuclear technology in the Czech Republic