Czech companies aim to help build new units at Dukovany

A new supply chain of Czech companies and educational institutions, formed under the umbrella of the National Engineering Cluster (NSK), wants to take part in the multi-billion-crown contract for the planned construction of two reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. It currently has 15 members, including companies such as Sigma Group, Královopolská, Koma-Industry, Witkowitz and Cylinders Holding. Some secondary technical schools are also set to cooperate, hosting lectures to attract people interested in working in nuclear energy. Ivo Hlavatý, a member of the executive board and director of the NSK Nuclear Section at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VŠB-TUO), which is involved in the project, told the Czech News Agency (ČTK) today in Lutín, in the Olomouc Region.

Members of the NSK supply chain can manufacture nuclear power plant technology in accordance with US regulations, Russian standards and French requirements. “Earlier supplies by Czech companies included part of the primary circuit and practically the entire secondary circuit system of nuclear power plants. Cluster members’ references cover a range of products, from steam generator shells, hydraulic systems and valves to control and instrumentation systems, all including development. Our companies supplied low-pressure and high-pressure steam heaters, pumps, valves, piping systems, parts of control and safety systems, and much more. Today, they offer innovative products that build on their extensive track record,” said NSK manager Jaroslav Vidiševský.

For example, Sigma Group has developed and manufactures a system for long-term heat removal from the containment in the event of a severe accident. “This is what is known as a post-Fukushima measure. In this case, the technology is intended for the existing 440 MW units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant,” said Sigma Group CEO Milan Stratil. Ostrava-based V-Nass wants to supply precision-machined parts for the primary circuit of the nuclear power plant, while Witkowitz Group plans to provide pressure vessels, high- and low-pressure heaters, and replaceable tube bundles.

Cylinders Holding also intends to bid for subcontracts. “Companies from the Cylinders Holding Group originally supplied steel pressure cylinders for cooling systems to nuclear power plants. Now we want to offer new cylinders for helium and hydrogen cooling, as well as state-of-the-art smart systems and bundles of pressure cylinders for fixed fire suppression systems. Their design makes them much easier to handle and install, while also increasing the safety and reliability of fire suppression systems. This is a unique solution, unlike anything else in the world,” said Cylinders Holding CEO and NSK president Jan Světlík. VŠB-TUO plans to double the number of graduates prepared for careers in nuclear energy.

In the summer, the government decided that it wants to build two new nuclear units at Dukovany. The first of the new reactors is expected to be completed in 2036. At current prices, the cost of the currently preferred option of building two reactors is 400 billion crowns. The contract was awarded to South Korea’s KHNP.