Six companies have shown
interest in building additional nuclear reactors at existing power plants in
the Czech Republic, but a decision to proceed with construction will likely
come after elections are held in October 2017.
As reported by the Reuters
news agency,
Jan Stuller, the government’s special envoy for
nuclear power, told the local CTK news agency that Russia’s Rosatom, French
group EDF, US company Westinghouse, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, China
General Nuclear Power and a grouping of France’s Areva and Mitsubishi Atmea had
all shown interest in future construction.
“It is important to stress
that this is not about offers for the construction of new nuclear plant blocks,
but responses to our request for information,” he was quoted as saying.
The Czechs have not backed
away from nuclear power, even though neighbours like Germany look to shut down
old units while Europe shifts towards renewable power, reported Reuters.
According to the online
Russian news network Sputnik, an official with Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear
Energy Corporation has confirmed that it has submitted a package of materials
to take part in the possible construction of a new nuclear power plant unit in
the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, bne IntelliNews
online reported Russian or Chinese involvement in EU nuclear plants is also a
geopolitical question, offering leverage to suppliers of technology and fuel.
The geopolitics that come
attached to such economic deals was illustrated recently by a scandal
surrounding President
Milos Zeman. Culture Minister
Daniel
Herman claimed the head of state withdrew an award to his uncle – a
holocaust academic – because Herman had met with the
Dalai Lama.
Trade and Industry Minister
Jan Mladek was quick to insist the reports of a potential
inter-governmental deal with China were wide off the mark. Yet he is seen as
pro-Russian in the wider scheme of things, and might look more favourably on a
deal with Moscow, even despite the current EU sanctions, reported bne
IntelliNews.
The next government will
decide on the investment model for the new nuclear blocks.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/six-interested-build-czech-reactors/