Czech companies sign agreement with France’s EDF on nuclear technology supplies

Several major Czech companies supplying technology for the nuclear power industry recently signed a memorandum in Paris on future cooperation with French company Electricité de France (EDF). Following the exclusion of Russian and Chinese suppliers, EDF is one of the leading candidates to build new nuclear units in Czechia.

The memorandum was signed towards the end of last year by I&C Energo, Sigma Group, ŠKODA JS and ZAT. The cooperation could bring them new opportunities not only in construction but also in the operation of existing power plants. The CEEnergy News website reported on the cooperation with one of the bidders in the tender to build new Czech nuclear units.

"Especially at a time like this, when the electricity market is showing prolonged instability and possible fluctuations in electricity supplies and prices, it is more necessary than ever to proceed swiftly with the construction of the planned nuclear power plants, which directly concerns Czechia as well," said Milan Šimonovský, chairman of CPIA, an association of Czech technology suppliers for power generation facilities that represents the Czech nuclear sector internationally.

Czech suppliers that agreed on future cooperation with their French partner in Paris are among the major European players in nuclear technology. They are currently involved, for example, in the construction and modernisation of nuclear power plants in Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, France and Finland, as well as in Ukraine, Turkey and Russia. ZAT’s control systems, for instance, are used by 30 % of nuclear power plants in the European Union and 10 % of plants worldwide.

What all the suppliers have in common are, above all, contracts in the European market for VVER and EPR nuclear reactors, as well as major long-term supply contracts for nuclear power plants in Czechia.

"We believe that, thanks to their experience in both the local and foreign markets, Czech companies will also play a significant role in the construction of new nuclear units in Czechia, both through supplies of key components and substantial engineering involvement in their delivery, so that the continuity and unique current standard of the Czech nuclear power industry can be maintained," said Josef Perlík, executive director of the Alliance.

The companies’ involvement in the possible future construction of units in Czechia could, among other things, mean faster, cheaper and more self-sufficient operation and maintenance of domestic units.