Dukovany Heading Towards 80 Years of Operation. CEZ Strengthens Its Role as a Pillar of the Czech Energy Sector

“We have planned to operate our nuclear power plants for about 60 years so far and we are convinced every day that they are in excellent condition. Current economic and safety analyses confirm that it will be possible to operate Dukovany for longer. Eighty-year operation is becoming a trend in the world, and a number of units have already been licensed for 80 years of operation. We see this as realistic for us as well, provided of course that the condition of the equipment and the safety of operation are regularly evaluated,” said Daniel Beneš, CEO. “Of course, this will not affect the project to build a new nuclear power plant at Dukovany and other small modular reactors. Electricity consumption will grow rapidly, and the Czech Republic will need as much emission-free electricity as possible.”

ČEZ regularly evaluates the future operation of its nuclear power plants using a technology and financial model, which assesses the technical condition of key components and the expected development of electricity prices and other inputs. These analyses as well indicate that the long-term operation of the Dukovany nuclear power plant is very well feasible. Analyses are now being carried out on the potential extension of the Temelín nuclear power plant’s operation.

Capital Expenditures That Keep the Czech Industry in Top Condition

Czech nuclear power plants spend around CZK 7 billion annually on safety enhancements and upgrades. These projects create thousands of jobs and bring long-term contracts and export potential to Czech companies – from engineering to highly specialized nuclear engineering.

Eighty years of operation encompass extensive capital projects and upgrade programs. These include, for example, the renewal of some elements of the engine rooms – generators as well as other large units, the reconstruction of selected piping routes, valves and electrical elements as well as the gradual introduction of new control and safety systems.

ČEZ thus not only stands for stable electricity generation, but also significantly supports the technological level of Czech industry. Thanks to the operation of nuclear power plants, the Czech Republic maintains a unique know-how that only a limited number of countries in Europe possess.

Safety is a fundamental condition. ČEZ follows the strictest standards

“Every year we evaluate the conditions for further operation in great detail, and all key decisions are supervised by the State Office for Nuclear Safety. In ten-year cycles, our nuclear power plants undergo detailed and demanding ‘periodic safety assessments’. Rigorous preparation and perfect knowledge of the condition of the plant is a prerequisite for any decision,” said Bohdan Zronek, Member of the Board of Directors and Director of the Nuclear Power Division.

Upgrades Continue: New Systems, Higher Performance, Higher Reliability

Thanks to the upgrades, the units at Dukovany (commissioned in 1985-1987) and Temelín (2000 and 2002) both generate significantly higher power outputs than when they were commissioned – around 512 MW at Dukovany and 1086 MW at Temelín. “It is as if we had built another Dukovany unit,” adds Bohdan Zronek, Member of the Board of Directors and Director of the Nuclear Power Division.

ČEZ is going to continue its upgrade projects in the coming decades as well. At Dukovany, major parts of the engine rooms, including the turbo sets and generators, are being replaced. At the same time, both power plants are launching large-scale projects to upgrade their control and safety systems.

The reactor pressure vessels are subject to rigorous long-term monitoring – there is no need to replace them. Their technical condition is regularly assessed and meets all requirements for safe operation.