|
|
|
|
|
Czech Republic
|
|
Number of nuclear units
connected to the grid |
Nuclear electricity generation
(net TWh) |
Nuclear percentage
of total
electricity supply |
|
| Czech Republic |
6 |
26.2 |
32.2 |
| OECD Europe |
145 |
879.6 |
25.8 |
|
OECD TOTAL |
346 (out of 439 worldwide) |
2172.5 |
21.6 |
Status of nuclear power plants
In the Czech Republic, there are four units operating at the Dukovany (EDU-Elektrárna Dukovany) nuclear power plant. The units are Russian WWER 440/V213 type PWRs with a total installed power of 1760 MW(e). The production of the plant represents currently about 33.8% (in 2004) of the total electricity production in the Czech Republic.
The construction of the Temelin nuclear power plant (two units with WWER 1000/V320 type with a total installed power of 2000 MW(e)) has been completed; the Temelin nuclear power plant is currently the largest power resource in the Czech Republic. Table 1 shows the current status of the Czech nuclear power plants.
The CEZ, a.s. financed directly the completion of the Temelin nuclear power plant, the planned upgrading of Dukovany station and the construction of a spent fuel storage facility. CEZ, a.s. is using its own resources and capital, without any direct financial participation from the state. The exception is a guarantee by the state of a World Bank loan. As soon as the Temelin nuclear power plant commences into full operation, the proportion of nuclear electricity produced in the Czech Republic will approximately be 40%. The construction of another nuclear power plant is very unlikely in the forthcoming years.
Table 1. Status of Nuclear Power Plants
| Station | Type | Net Capacity (MW) | Operator | Status | Reactor Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUKOVANY-1 | WWER |
427 |
CEZ - EDU |
Operational |
SKODA |
| DUKOVANY-2 | WWER |
412 |
CEZ - EDU |
Operational |
SKODA |
| DUKOVANY-3 | WWER |
427 |
CEZ - EDU |
Operational |
SKODA |
| DUKOVANY-4 | WWER |
427 |
CEZ - EDU |
Operational |
SKODA |
| TEMELIN-1 | WWER |
912 |
CEZ - ETE |
Operational |
SKODA |
| TEMELIN-2 | WWER |
912 |
CEZ - ETE |
Operational |
SKODA |
| Station | Construction Date | Criticality Date | Grid Date | Commercial Date | Shutdown Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUKOVANY-1 | 1 January 1979 |
12 February 1985 |
24 February 1985 |
3 May 1985 |
N/A |
| DUKOVANY-2 | 1 January 1979 |
23 January 1986 |
30 January 1986 |
21 March 1986 |
N/A |
| DUKOVANY-3 | 1 January 1979 |
28 October 1986 |
14 November 1986 |
20 December 1986 |
N/A |
| DUKOVANY-4 | 1 January 1979 |
1 June 1987 |
11 June 1987 |
19 July 1987 |
N/A |
| TEMELIN-1 | 1 February 1987 |
11 October 2000 |
21 December 2000 |
10 June 2002 |
N/A |
| TEMELIN-2 | 1 February 1987 |
31 May 2002 |
29 December 2002 |
1 May 2003 |
N/A |
Through the National Property Fund (NPF), the Czech state owns 67.6% of CEZ, a.s. which was privatised in 1992. The fund delegated the shareholding rights to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The remaining CEZ, a.s. shares are traded on the Stock Exchange. They are owned, at present, by companies and corporations (28.5%) and individuals (3.9%). The Nuclear Research Institute Rez (UJV-Rez, a.s.) was privatised in 1992. At present (March 2008), 65,41% of the shares are owned by the Czech Power Company (CEZ, a.s.). The Slovac Power Company (SE, a.s.) holds 27.8%, the Škoda JS, a.s. 17.4% and 2.4% is owned by the local municipality.
The Škoda - Jaderné strojírenství (JS), s.r.o. is 100% owned by Škoda, a.s., of which a group of private owners (including major banks) have held a major share, since 1992.
Performance of nuclear power plants
Basic data on performance of the Czech nuclear power plants are shown in Table 1 (see net capacity).
Plant upgrading and plant life management
The extensive long-term modernisation programme "Upgrading Programme of Nuclear Power Plant Dukovany Equipment" (including the modernisation of Dukovany nuclear power plant) started in 1995 and is scheduled for completion in 2010. Partial projects and separate actions relating to the renewal of nuclear power plant equipment are being organised and co-ordinated under the programme Modernisation-Reconstruction-Analysis-Validation (MORAVA).
In 2002, 40 equipment modifications were finalised with a total investment of 850 million CZK, including 12 modifications to increase nuclear safety. One of the most important actions of the MORAVA programme is the renewal of supervision and control system equipment. Work started in 2002 on reactor Unit 3 and will continue in sequence through Units 1, 2 and 4 in the years 2004-2010.
As part of an upgrading programme, IAEA safety recommendations are being implemented. By 2002: 70% of the recommendations had been implemented; 27% of recommendations were scheduled for the period 2003-2006; and 3% of the recommendations connected with the renewal of surveillance and control system equipment will be undertaken later.
The complex MORAVA upgrading programme, creates good precautions for the Dukovany nuclear power plant's safety operation until at least the year 2025. After full implementation of the modernisation programme it is expected that the Dukovany nuclear power plant will achieve a safety level comparable to that of the nuclear power plants of the same vintage operating in Western Europe. The Temelin nuclear power plant safety enhancement programme started, with IAEA assistance, during the construction period with the replacement of I&C system and nuclear fuel. The combination of eastern and western technology was successfully completed and verified during the commissioning process. The IAEA missions have so far confirmed that most of the safety issues have been resolved and work on the few remaining issues are at an advanced stage and do not preclude the safe operation of the Temelin nuclear power plant.
Nuclear power development projections and plans
The current energy policy of the Czech Republic does not exclude the construction of new nuclear units in addition to the Temelin nuclear power plant, if they are needed. However, in light of the country's large excess of baseload electricity generation capacity, an additional nuclear power plant is very unlikely to be built in the foreseeble future.
Decommissioning information and plans
According to the Atomic Act (at present, the Act No. 18/1997 Coll. has been amended with Act No. 13/2002 Coll. and Act No. 310/2002) Coll., the CEZ, a.s. should, under the state's control, prepare both financial and technical means for decommissioning of its nuclear facilities and it should provide payments to the Czech National Bank (the State Bank of the Czech Republic) to accumulate the means necessary for a preparation and construction of a spent fuel repository.
At present, the costs of future decommissioning of nuclear power plant's and disposal (deposit) of spent fuel are not directly reflected in the electricity prices and the nuclear power plant utility transfers provisions, based on its consideration, from the net profit, to a reserve fund under state control.
The organisational chart (structure) of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) is presented on the following Figure 1.
Figure 1 - shows the main governmental bodies involved in energy policy-making. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has the principal responsibility for overall energy policy.
It is supported by the Czech Energy Agency (CEA) for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and the State Energy Inspection Board for the supervision of energy facilities in the public sector and state-owned companies.
Since January 2001, the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) has performed the main regulatory functions.
Through the National Property Fund, the Ministry of Finance acts as government shareholder in state-owned energy companies, except Transgas which is owned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Ministry of Finance also manages state aid to the coal sector and the fund created for managing nuclear wastes. The Ministry of the Environment portfolio includes regulation, air pollution and climate change policy. On behalf of the Ministry of the Environment, the State Environmental Fund provides financial support for the installation of equipment to prevent air pollution, for the extension of the natural gas network and for the use of renewable energy.
The Administration of State Material Reserves has the responsibility for oil stockholding and emergency preparedness. The Czech Statistical Office produces most energy statistics, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade has a large role in supply statistics.
Most of the equipment and all construction parts of both nuclear power plants were produced inside of the country or in Slovakia (part of former Czechoslovakia). Fuel, instrumentation and control system and main circulation pumps are the main exceptions. The original design of both nuclear power plants is Russian, but during construction of the Temelin nuclear power plant it was substantially changed (instrumentation and control system and fuel).
Also at the Dukovany nuclear power plant a substantial improvement has been completed. A standard Western practice was used to combine Eastern and Western technologies for the Temelin nuclear power plant. The Temelin nuclear power plant will achieve a safety level that is comparable to that of operating Western nuclear power plants.
The CEZ, a.s company built the Temelin nuclear power plant in co-operation with many Czech and foreign contractors. The main Czech contractors were: Škoda Praha, a.s.; Energoprojekt Praha, a.s.;Škoda Jaderné strojírenství, s.r.o.;Škoda Energo, a.s.; Vítkovice, a.s.; První brnenská ABB, a.s.; Sigma, a.s.; ZVVZ Milevsko, a.s.; EZ Praha, a.s.; Královopolská strojírna, a.s.; Vodní stavby Bohemia, a.s.; Modranská potrubní, a.s.; Orgrez SC (OSC), a.s.; and Regula Praha, a.s. The most important foreign suppliers were: GANZ Budapest of Hungary; PKE Philips, Nalco Chemical, and ELIN of Austria; Alcatel Cable Lyon, SGN, and Fragema of France; Ansaldo of Italy; AEG AG and Sempel of Germany; ABB, Cerberus and Sulzer of Switzerland; Cadcentre Ltd. of Great Britain; and Westinghouse, Data Systems a Solutions and Sorrento Electronics of USA.
The Czech industry is capable of producing almost all of the main components of WWER design, including RPV's, primary piping, steam generators and pumps.The first research reactor was delivered to UJV Rez from former the Soviet Union but after two reconstructions it is now almost entirely built in the Czech Republic (the fuel is an exception). The two other small research reactors were designed in the country using some Russian parts and experience.
The CEZ, a.s., owns and operates both the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants and ensures their personnel training. Maintenance services are supplied both by CEZ, a.s. itself and by many other Czech companies of which the most important are listed in Appendix 2 - Directory of the main organisations, instituions and companies involved in nuclear power-related activites.
The state supervision and licensing activities are carried out by the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) based on the Act No. 18/1997 Coll. (Atomic Act) on the Peaceful Utilisation of Nuclear Energy and Ionising Radiation.
The uranium for the Dukovany nuclear power plant's fuel is bought on the open market, with the exception of the one-year consumption of Russian uranium for nuclear fuel, purchased a few years ago. Conversion and enrichment services that was together with fuel fabrication for the Dukovany nuclear power plant, are purchased from Russian suppliers.
For the Temelin nuclear power plant, the fuel for the initial loading was already supplied and the contracts for several reloadings have been signed. The uranium for the initial fuel load was supplied by Russia, conversion and enrichment were provided by Russia and the United Kingdom and fuel fabrication took place in the USA. From 2010, further fuel reloads have been contracted from the Russian Federation.
The fuel for Czech research reactors, including their uranium, comes from the Russian Federation.
Uranium mining in the Czech Republic is carried out under Government Resolution No. 750/1999, but due to the economic changes in the uranium market in 2007, the Czech government decided to prolong the operation of the mine. The state-owned company Diamo s.p. is the only operator of uranium mining and milling facilities in the Czech Republic. At present, only one underground mine at Rozna remains in operation. The milling facility produced 350 t of uranium in 2002 in the form of ammonium diuranate after chemical lixiviation of uranium ore. The uranium is processed into a form of chemical concentrate, namely yellow cake. The production will decline to 50-150 t/year during the next one or two decades after the projected termination of underground mining in July 2006. All other mines are already closed and remediation works are being carried out. Aabout 100 t uranium/year is therefore produced as a by-product of the technologies used by the remediation of chemical mining sites near the city of Straz pod Ralskem. There are no other uranium processing plants in the Czech Republic. The storage of spent fuel is ensured by its original users, i.e. CEZ, a.s. with regard to spent fuel from nuclear power plants, and UJV-Rez, a.s. with regard of spent fuel from research reactors. The spent fuel storage capacity in the reactor pools is sufficient for 6 years of operation for each nuclear power plant unit. At the Dukovany nuclear power plant, an interim dry cask-type (CASTOR) spent fuel storage facility with capacity of 600 tonnes of uranium was put into operation in 1995. Currently, another interim storage facility for spent fuel from the Dukovany nuclear power plant is being prepared, with projected operation start-up in 2006.
High-level waste and spent nuclear fuel classed as waste are unsuitable for disposal in existing repositories. The construction of a deep geological repository is proposed in the Concept of Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Management in the Czech Republic, prepared by the Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (RAWRA) in co-operation with a number of other organisations. The Concept was formulated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for government discussion. Based on a preliminary timetable, approval for the final disposal facility site is expected in 2015, with construction of the repository due to start in approximately 2030. The commissioning of the repository is scheduled for around 2065.
The issue of reprocessing spent fuel remains open. The decision on whether spent fuel is to be reprocessed is, in principle, left to its owner. At present, CEZ, a.s. does not consider reprocessing as economical. Due to the fact that the preparation of the final repository for radioactive waste is the responsibility of the state, the procedure of both CEZ, a.s. and the state, regarding the reprocessing issue must be co-ordinated in the long-term. A decision to reprocess or directly dispose of spent fuel (after its conditioning) as waste, is suspended for the time of its storage in the interim storage facility, envisaged for as period of 40-50 years. In 2007 spent fuel was delivered to Russia for storage.
In UJV-Rez, a.s. a new spent fuel interim storage facility was put into operation in 1996, with sufficient capacity for the entire life of the operating research reactors.
A shallow land repository of radioactive waste is operated by CEZ a.s. within the Dukovany nuclear power plant complex. It is designed to accommodate all future low and intermediate radioactive waste from both the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants.
A repository for low and intermediate radioactive waste is located in the abandoned mine "Richard" near Litomerice in the north of the Czech Republic.
More detailed information is available in the IAEA "Country Nuclear Fuel Cycle Profiles", Technical Reports Series No. 404.
For additional information on the Czech Republic's radioactive waste management programme please see the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Radioactive Waste Management Programmes in OECD/NEA Member Countries.
Research and development organisations and institutes
The responsibility for state policy research in the area of nuclear energy is divided between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the State Office for Nuclear Safety.
Most activities in the area of nuclear energy research and development are carried out by UJV Rez, a.s., (the Nuclear Research Institute Rez) founded in 1955 and the Czech Technical University in Prague. The Nuclear Fuel Institute owned by Chemcomex, a.s. performs specialised research in the area of fuel element cladding. Several institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences and other universities such as West Bohemia University in Plzen are marginally involved in nuclear power research.
At present, three nuclear research reactors are operated in the Czech Republic. Two experimental reactors are located in vicinity of Prague at the Nuclear Research Institute in Rez - LVR-15 and LR-0 - and one training reactor VR-1 is operated by the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, at the Czech Technical University Prague.
Development of advanced and new generation nuclear reactor systems
Czech organisations (and especially the Nuclear Research Institute Rez plc) are already engaged in some topics related to the development of advanced and new generation reactor systems. Czech research institutions and universities were involved in the activities covered by the EURATOM 5th Framework Programme addressing severe accidents, plant life management and other topics significant for current and advanced reactors (including molten salts reactors). UJV Rez has become a member of High Temperature Reactor Technology Network (HTR-TN), consequently - it was active in the preparation of the 6th Framework Programme projects on HTR. It is expected that within 6th Framework Programme - EURATOM Priority Programme "Management of Radioactive Waste" the Czech Republic will take part in projects focused on reactor concepts with better use of fissile material and less waste generation.
The Czech Republic has an observer status in the IAEA INPRO project, and a UJV Rez representative is a member of this project Steering Committee (continued participation in the follow-up phase 1B is expected). Medium-term prospects formulated in the State Energy Concept include an option of new nuclear power sources of advanced types. The required infrastructure has been developed during 1999-2003 within the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade project "Criteria for Decision-making and Selection of an Alternative Nuclear Power Source" (leading organisation - UJV Rez, participants - Czech industry and universities), and has two main goals:
The Czech Republic has made every effort to get involved in the Generation IV programme, being aware of its importance.
Role of the government in nuclear research and development
The Research and Development Council, pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 130/2002 Coll., on State-Funded Research and Development Support and on the Amendment of Some Related Acts, such as the Act on the Support of Research and Development, is a professional and advisory body of the Government of the Czech Republic in the area of research and development (R&D) and fulfils the tasks following from this act, in particular:
The "National Research and Development Policy of the Czech Republic" was approved by the Czech government in January 2000. This document was formulated by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the Research and Development Council of the Czech Republic in co-operation with representatives of the state administrative bodies: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Grant Agency of the Czech Republic; Council of Czech Universities; Czech Rectors´ Conference; Association of Research Organisations and Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic. This National Policy should be compatible with the respective policies of developed countries and should include the following:
The Czech Republic has had very active international co-operation with a number of foreign nuclear organisations and is a member of a number of international nuclear organisations including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) as well as other bilateral and multilateral organisations such as the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) and the Western European Nuclear Regulators' Association (WENRA).
It takes part in international research activities organised by international organisations such as the NEA, The Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE), International Nuclear Emergency Exercises (INEX), Incident Reporting System (IRS) and programmes of the CERN and Dubna.
A relatively large volume of nuclear safety-related technical support continues to come from the IAEA and European Union. The Czech Republic participates in the IAEA programme of technical co-operation and in the PHARE programme, especially the regional PHARE nuclear safety programme from the European Union. Nuclear power-related activities, especially nuclear safety, have been a principal focus for the IAEA's national technical co-operation programme with the Czech Republic. It has focused on many specific technical issues of WWER-type reactors, such as integrity of the primary circuit, in-service inspection, plant operation and maintenance, systematic approach to training (SAT), comprehensive safety assessment methodology and analysis and implementation of operational feedback. A safety improvement programme for the Dukovany nuclear power plant resulted in upgradings of the plant in accordance with international practice and standards. Safety assessment of the Temelin nuclear power plant was subject to technical co-operation through site safety mission, design review missions (1990, 1996, 2001), operational safety missions - OSART (1990, 2001) and various topical missions (QA, LBB, PSA, fire safety), which were focused on safety issues generally identified for WWER 1000 units. Many missions at the Dukovany nuclear power plant (8) and particularly at Temelin nuclear power plant (19) have taken place since 1990. Furthermore, the full scope IRRT mission was also conducted at SÚJB in June 2001 to review the effectiveness of the regulatory body of the Czech Republic. Participating in regional projects related to safety assessment was one of the most important areas and continued under several national projects. The Nuclear Research Institute Rez was one of the main beneficiaries.
In the past decade the radioactive waste management policy was subject to several techincal co-operation projects focusing on assessing the risks and elaboration of a waste management policy in the Czech Republic.
The IAEA technical co-operation (TC) programme approved for the Czech Republic for the cycle 2003-2004 comprises of four TC projects. The on-going TC programme for the current cycle includes the following areas:
In addition to these projects, another project was implemented by the IAEA in 2002 as support to the Nuclear Research Institute Rez, the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the FJFI CVUT for replacement of equipment irreparably damaged by floods in the summer of 2002, which is an example of prompt TC assistance to unexpected situations:
Several safety missions to the Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants and UJV Rez were included in the TC programme for 2003-2004.
The Czech Republic is also actively participating in the Europe regional TC programme dealing with: primary circuit integrity; management of radioactive wastes; safety of research reactors; harmonisation of PSA practices; strengthening of safety assessment capabilities and emergency preparedness.
Of particular importance was the so-called IAEA extra-budgetary programme, aimed at enhancing nuclear safety of WWER reactors. For some of the activities, SÚJB, CEZ, a.s. and other Czech organisations were involved in this programme. Within this framework, with the active participation of other WWER operating countries, lists of design shortcomings established in individual WWER reactors were prepared. These shortcomings were analysed step-by-step and subsequently repaired or removed.
Apart from receiving support, the Czech Republic has also been providing support by financing (via the IAEA) technical assistance projects in Armenia, Bulgaria and Georgia in 2001, and Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine in 2002. In 2003, the Czech Republic considered making technical and financial assistance: to Armenia to improve the safety of the Medzamor nuclear power plant; to Moldova for support of the radiation protection with emphasis on medical exposures; to the Ukraine to enhance the safety of the Ukrainian Zaporozhe nuclear power plant and to Uzbekistan for enhancing operational reliability and safety of the research reactor in Tashkent.
In co-operation with the EC administration for Phare programme control in nuclear safety, various Phare projects have been an important part of activities related to nuclear power plant safety and upgrading.
The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union's current 6th Framework Programme. In 2002, the strengthening of a scientific and research co-operation with the EU countries was realised through participation in the preceding EU 5th Framework Programme, covering research and technological development and was a significant feature of the country's international co-operation. The UJV Rež took part in 45 projects, especially in the EURATOM key activity "Nuclear Fission" implementation which progressed well in 2002. The UJV Rez intensively prepared the EU 6th Framework Programme and submitted proposals for participation in various Integrated Projects (IP) such as the nuclear Network of Excellence (NoE) and other areas (aerospace). The co-operation with the leading European nuclear research centres reached a higher, qualitative and quantitative level recognising the Institute as a competent partner.
Co-operation of the Czech Republic with the NEA started in 1992 when the UJV first joined the Halden Reactor Project and has developed significantly since 1996 when the Czech Republic joined the NEA. Since then, Czech specialists have taken part in the Committee for Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) and in all permanent working groups and special expert groups, various specialist meetings and also in a majority of the joint research and database projects. Through this co-operation, the Czech Republic has shared key know-how with the most developed countries in all important areas of the nuclear sector, kept the national infrastructure on a sufficient level, stimulated young people to work in the field and made financial commitments more effective.
Bilateral relations continued with the countries of major programmes for the peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy and ionising radiation, including: France (CEA, IRSN); USA (NRC, DOE); Germany (BMU, GRS) and the Russian Federation (Kurchatov Institute, Nuclear power plants). The Czech Republic also co-operates with neighboring states, including with: Germany (participation of German experts in experts seminars and meetings, co-operation with the Temelin nuclear power plant and UJV Rez); Slovakia (exchange of information, co-operation during multilateral projects organised under IAEA and the EU programme Phare); Austria (co-operation of experts and seminars for safety questions, Melk process); Poland (co-operation based on the submission of information related to nuclear safety, radiation protection and the Temelin nuclear power plant start-up); as well as with other states, such as: France (participation of French experts in expert seminars, implementation of Phare projects); the United States of America (thermohydraulic codes); Japan (participation of the Czech experts in expert seminars and training courses focused on nuclear safety, radiation protection, nuclear power plant operation, radioactive waste treatment and seismic resistance of nuclear power plants); Hungary (during bilateral meeting in Prague in 2002, chairmen of national regulators signed an agreement on co-operation and information exchange); and Slovenia (bilateral meeting, technical visit to the Dukovany nuclear power plant).
With respect to technical and industrial co-operation, there are many activities based on bilateral contracts that are not subject to any centralised review. The Czech Republic succeeded to the Agreement between the government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concerning a number of agreements listed in Appendix 1 - International Agreements.
In the Czech Republic the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is the central authority in education responsible for overall strategy, educational policy, upper secondary and special schools, distribution of financial resources from the State budget and introduction of general scientific research and development policy. The government of the Czech Republic approved "The National Programme of Development of Education" (Government resolution No. 113 of 2001-02-07), published under the title "The White Book". The programme is a part of the strategy of further social and economic development of the Czech Republic, which highlights education and human resource development as one of the government's priorities. The White Book provides basic guidelines for the development of the whole education system in the medium-term timeframe of 2005, with some parts up to the year 2010. The education sector is a user of radiation resources including the school research reactor at the Technical University in Prague.
The Czech Republic, a country with developed nuclear energy, dedicates systematic care to educating and training human resources and specialists to ensure the provision of reliable operations, manufacturing of various nuclear devices, and carrying out research and developmental activities. Utilisation of the existing research reactor facilities for production of radioisotopes, material testing (LVR-15), reactor physics (LR-0) and training (VR-1) is considered another medium term country priority. Reliable operation of research reactor facilities, improvement their safety, and safety assessment in-line with updated technologies will be constantly addressed. Of great importance is also constant human resource development and training, in particular: in health physics (diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy); radiation physics QA/QC (preparation of guides, protocols and procedures); and isotope production and radiation accidents. Most of these programmes will be financed through national resources. However, the Czech Republic will strongly support regional co-operation for education and training.
The nuclear power era in the former CSFR started off in the 1950s because of the lack of oil resources. A heavy water gas-cooled reactor was built and operated in Jaslovské Bohunice (now Slovakia). The further development of nuclear power in the Czech Republic was determined by the influence of former Soviet Union in Eastern Europe.
In the 1970s, WWER 440s of Soviet design were built and the Czech industry was involved in the production of NSSS components and partly in primary circuit - e.g. vessel, control rod drive mechanism. The Czech industry became the supplier of these parts in other Eastern European countries (for example 20 reactor vessels were made by Skoda). In the 1980s, construction of the WWERs 1000 started. In 1993, a resolution was adopted to change the reactor control system (I&C) to meet the state-of-art criteria of unit control.
For additional information on national laws and regulations concerning nuclear power please see the chapter on the Czech Republic OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's Analytical Study of Nuclear Legislation in OECD countries.
The State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB), as the Czech Republic's national regulatory authority in nuclear safety and the radiation protection field was established 1 January 1993 by Act No. 21/1992 Coll. It is a successor organisation to the former Czechoslovak Atomic Energy Commission. The SÚJB is carrying out state supervision and licensing activities. The legal framework of the SÚJB is given by Act No. 18/1997 Coll., on the Peaceful Utilisation of Nuclear Energy and Ionising Radiation (Atomic Act). The other legal documents specifying powers of SÚJB are listed in the paragraph Main National Laws and Regulations in Nuclear Power.
The SÚJB is an independent central body of the state administration with its own budget. It is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Czech Government (as a body) and the Chairman can, on request, be present at government meetings. Regulatory decisions of the SÚJB (except for fines) cannot be changed by any other governmental body. Deputy Chairmen, Directors of Departments and Heads of Divisions are appointed by the Chairman of the SÚJB. The Chairman acts at the same time as the Nuclear Safety Inspector General. He appoints the SÚJB nuclear safety and radiation protection inspectors. The inspector's authority, to perform their function, is stipulated in the provisions of Act No. 18/1997 Coll. The SÚJB has 203 employees (August 2003) and two institutes are subordinated financially and as technical support. The organisational chart of the SÚJB is presented in Figure 1.
The Czech Republic's legislative framework is based particularly on the Atomic Act. At present, the Czech legislation in the sphere of nuclear energy and ionising radiation consists mainly of the following national laws and appropriate decrees of the SÚJB and the government:
Both Czech nuclear power plants, Dukovany and Temelin, are built, operated and owned by CEZ, a.s. The nuclear research reactors at Rez are operated and owned by the Nuclear Research Institute (UJV-Rez, a.s.). The university nuclear research reactor, in Prague, is operated and owned by Technical University CVUT. Investment projects of CEZ, a.s. are based on its business plan and they are financed by CEZ, a.s., own resources. The only state budget obligation is represented by the Czech government's guarantee provided to the US Eximbank, regarding a loan from the Citibank, for Westinghouse supplies to the Temelin nuclear power plant. Nuclear safety and radiation protection in the Czech Republic are supervised by the national regulatory authority - the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) established on 1 January 1993 as a follow-up organisation of the former Czechoslovak Atomic Energy Commission. The responsibilities of the SÚJB concerning nuclear safety, the licensing of nuclear facilities, fuel and waste treatment facilities, and nuclear safeguards are outlined in Act No. 18/1997 Coll.
An environmental impact assessment of a nuclear installation project, as well as other civil construction, including other significant sources of ionising radiation, is determined, especially, in the following three laws:
The Energy Policy is a basic document indicating the targets in the area of energy management according to the needs of economic and social development, including environmental protection. The long-term strategic targets of energy policy include a gradual reduction of the volumes of energy and raw materials needed by the Czech economy to meet the level of advanced industrial countries. The new sub-objectives up to 2020 on the demand side are to remove price subsidies and distortions, to create competitive markets for electricity and gas, to achieve freedom of choice for consumers, and to ensure energy efficiency enhancement.
At present the government's energy policy is focusing on harmonising the Czech energy sector's standards with those in the EU. The main changes and priorities of the current energy policy in the Czech Republic are:
From 2002 the largest consumers of energy, accounting for roughly two-thirds of total consumption, have had a free choice of their electricity supplier and since the end of year 2006, this applies to all energy customers.
The energy policy includes renewable energy sources, such as solar; wind; and biomass. However, this is with limited possibilities: small hydro power stations for local use, wind power stations where wind exceeds 5m per second on average, limited scale of solar energy systems, and some geothermal generation using heat pumps. The renewable sources will contribute to the total consumption of primary energy sources from a current level of around 1.5% to between 3-6% by 2010 and between 4-8% by 2020. The state programme to Support Energy Savings and Use of Renewable Sources of Energy is a one year programme set up by the Ministry of Industry and Trade which has been operating each year since 1991. It includes energy saving measures in the sphere of production, distribution and consumption of energy, wider use of renewable and secondary sources of energy and development of co-generation of heat and power, counselling, implementation of new low energy consuming technologies, education, public education and promotion leading to the more economic use of energy. To carry out the State Programme, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has established the Czech Energy Agency (CEA).
The CEA is a publicly funded organisation carrying out the work of the former energy agency. The CEA's main mission is to encourage and carry out activities aimed at encouraging energy savings and mitigating negative environmental impacts caused by the consumption and conversion of all kinds of energy. The CEA is in charge of implementing the above-mentioned state programme. The CEA implements programmes which:
At present, the State Energy Concept Update has been prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade based on the Energy Management Act and the Energy Policy (2000) as an official and open draft document with horizons of up to 2030 for government discussion. In compliance with the energy policy of the state and the Energy Management Act, the document will be periodically evaluated and eventually modified by the Ministry at intervals of not longer than two years.
The 1994 Energy Act, which previously regulated the energy sector, was replaced in January 2001 by the new Energy Act. The construction of new heating plants above 30 MWt capacity has to be approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and units below this limit by regional authorities. Criteria for approval in both cases include the use of domestic and local energy sources, energy efficiency and the of solvency of the investing company. According to current legislation, there is no compulsory buy-back tariff between heat generators and heat distributors; prices are fixed by contract. As electricity sales make up an important part of district heating revenues (up to 80%), liberalisation of the electricity market is likely to lower electricity prices and reduce the revenue of co-generation for heat and power operators. To offset this, the new Energy Act includes an obligation of purchase to transmission and distribution networks for the electricity generated by the co-generation of heat and power. However, the buy-back tariff is not set by the new Energy Act so co-generators and buyers (distribution company or national grid) will have to negotiate the prices. Along the same lines, the new Energy Act also contains an obligation of purchase for heat generated from the co-generation of heat and power, industrial process, renewable energy and environmentally clean incineration.
However, there are exemptions from the obligation where the end-consumer will not accept a higher tariff or for non-compliance with technical parameters. The Ministry of Finance regulates the household tariff for each network on a cost-plus-fees analysis method. Since 1994, regulation on prices for industrial heat users has been lifted.
As 50% of households have individual meters and flow regulation, household tariffs for the remaining consumers do not reflect actual consumption of heat but are based on the size of the apartment and/or the number of persons per apartment. This tariff structure appears complicated and inaccurate in evaluating effective heat consumption and providing effective energy-saving incentives. Heat subsidies were abolished in 1996 but the VAT rate remained at 5%. With the new Energy Act which came in force in January 2001, the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) is in charge of pricing and licensing.
In the Czech Republic all uranium-related activities are carried out by the state-owned company Diamo s.p. The uranium produced is used entirely for fuelling operating nuclear units. The Czech Republic has no domestic industry for producing nuclear fuel or providing other fuel-cycle services such as conversion and enrichment, and there are restrictions on uranium imports. The fuel for the Dukovany nuclear power plant is imported from Russia where it is manufactured with Czech uranium. CEZ, a.s. has signed a contract with Westinghouse to buy five years worth of fuel from its US plants to supply the Temelin nuclear power plant.
In conjunction with the reduction of uranium production, a major programme of Diamo s.p. focuses on the decommissioning and restoration of closed mining and milling sites. It aims to mitigate the heavy damage done to the environment by past uranium production activities. The programme covers some 20 sites and is expected to last until 2040.
The construction of a deep geological repository for high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel is proposed in the "Concept of Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Management in the Czech Republic", prepared by the Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (RAWRA) in co-operation with a number of other organisations and the Ministry of Industry and Trade:
Utilisation of nuclear energy is playing a very significant role in electricity production and the reduction of emissiobns in the Czech Republic. If the total electricity output of the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants was replaced by the same output of traditional coal-fired power plants, then the volume of carbon dioxide emissions would increase by 17% in the Czech Republic. The purpose is to change future approaches to environmental issues to support the further minimisation of the impacts of the energy sector on the environment.
Coal-fired power plants planned to remain in use for the long-term were desulphurised and denitrified before the end of 1998. Their operation currently meets the strict emission limits of the Act No. 309/1991 Coll.- the Clean Air Act currently replaced by the Act No. 86/2002 Coll.
The Czech Republic acceded to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC) in 1993 on the basis of the Government Resolution No. 323/1993. In 1998, the Czech Republic signed the Kyoto Protocol. During the 2008-2012 commitment period, the country is committed to reducing total emissions by 8% compared to the 1990 levels. At present, total greenhouse gases (GHG) from fuel combustion are 20% below the 1990 baseline.
In June 2002 the Act No. 86/2002 Coll. (new Clean Air Act) came into force. The main reason for restructuring the current air protection legislation in the Czech Republic lies in harmonisation and transposition of the relevant legislation of the European Union in relation to the preparation for accession of the country to the European Union. The new sct is comprehensive and includes protection against pollutants, protection of the ozone layer and of the climate system of the earth in the sense of the UN FCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. The new Clean Air Act also provides legislative basis for the National Programme to Mitigate Changes in the Climate of the Earth, approved by the government of the Czech Republic. The act will set up reduction targets for substances influencing the climate system and deadlines for achieving them.
The government of the Czech Republic considers nuclear power as an important component of the energy balance in the country. It intends to follow the strategic documents of the European Union, the Green Paper - Towards the European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply and the Accession Partnership Agreement of the European Union. In doing so, the Czech Republic will comply with the relevant international agreements in the nuclear energy field, including the Nuclear Safety Convention. It recognises the necessity of continuous upgrading and modernisation of the nuclear power sector in the country, as well as strengthening the national safety authority.
Nuclear power will remain one of the important main sources of electric energy in the Czech Republic for the foreseeable future. The Czech Power Company (CEZ, a.s.) will therefore continue to focus on operational reliability and safety issues of operating units in full compliance with international safety standards and practices. This national programme will be designed, financed and implemented entirely by CEZ, a.s. Participation of the Czech Republic in the IAEA Technical Co-operation regional programme is very important.
The high-level of plant performance and nuclear safety, sound management practices and appropriate levels of maintenance research and development require continued focus and exchange of experience in order to continuously and sustainably comply with international best practices and standards. To this end, the Czech Republic considers regional activities as highly beneficial and a very high priority and shall continue its active involvement in the nuclear power plant-related regional activities in Europe. Issues of particular interest include:
The IAEA safety review missions will be used as a tool of independent international verification in this area for the medium term. In comparison with last 10 years, it is expected that the high frequency of the IAEA missions will be substantially lower (5-10 years). The assistance expected for the period 2003-2004 included:
Appendix 1 - International Agreements
This is an edited extract from the IAEA Country Nuclear Power Profile of the Czech Republic, compiled in 2003. The complete entry is available from the IAEA.
Nuclear facts and figures for OECD countries Number of nuclear units connected to the grid; Nuclear electricity generation (net TWh); Nuclear percentage of total electricity supply.
IEA Energy Statistics: Czech Republic Data available in the following areas: Coal, oil and gas use; Electricity production, supply and consumption; Heat production, supply and consumption; Graphs of sectorial final consumption by source in 1973 and 2001.
The Decommissioning and Dismantling of Nuclear Facilities in OECD/NEA Member Countries: Czech Republic
This compilation of national fact sheets is intended to serve as an authoritative source of reference information on individual NEA member countries. In this context, the term "nuclear facility" includes all facilities associated with the production of nuclear power, from mining of uranium, through fabrication of nuclear fuel, nuclear power plant operation, fuel reprocessing and waste management, including related R&D facilities, and research and demonstration reactors.
IAEA "Country Nuclear Fuel Cycle Profiles", Technical Reports Series No. 404
Nuclear Energy Data Nuclear Energy Data is the NEA’s annual compilation of essential statistics on electricity generation and nuclear power in OECD countries. The reader will have quick and easy reference to the status of and projected trends in total electricity generating capacity, nuclear generating capacity, and actual electricity production, as well as to supply and demand for nuclear fuel cycle services.
Last updated: 21 March 2008
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