Czech plan for Temelín nuclear park raises concerns in Bavaria

Plans by the Czech Republic to build a South Bohemian nuclear park at Temelín have raised concerns among political representatives in neighbouring Bavaria. Back in February, the Bavarian premier sent Fiala a letter expressing Bavaria's opposition to plans to build a nuclear waste repository near the border. At the same time, the Bavarian state government supports extending the operation of Germany's three remaining nuclear power plants.

Regional politicians from Bavaria's CSU party were surprised by the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's September announcement of plans to build a South Bohemian nuclear park close to the German border. The park is intended to include the construction of the Czech Republic's first small modular reactor (SMR).

Already in spring, ČEZ set aside a site at Temelín where the first SMR could be built. ČEZ also informed US companies NuScale, GE Hitachi and Holtec International. ČEZ has signed cooperation agreements with the companies. The SMR at Temelín could enter operation between 2032 and 2035.

The Czech government's plans to build a new nuclear power plant near the border with the German state of Bavaria are creating a dilemma for the conservative CSU party, which is part of the state government. The party supports extending the operating life of Germany's last three nuclear power plants, but takes a reserved stance towards new facilities being built abroad, Die Welt writes.

Bavaria is home to one of Germany's three remaining operating nuclear units, Isar 2, which is set to receive an extension until April next year. The Czech Temelín nuclear power plant is located roughly 60 km as the crow flies from the Bavarian border.

However, the CSU is not concerned only about plans to build new reactors; it has also signalled to its Czech neighbours concerns over the planned nuclear waste repository in the border region. CSU chairman and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder wrote to Fiala in February that there was considerable opposition in the border area to the repository plans, claiming that Bavaria would "firmly oppose such plans".

"We are concerned because it is very close to the border," Söder said.

Bavarian government supports extending operation of German nuclear power plants by 2-3 years

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last week decided to extend the operation of all three remaining German nuclear power plants until 15 April 2023. The Bavarian government has called for longer operation of the nuclear plants, arguing that the need for nuclear generation will not end in April next year.

Söder stressed that the state government is not an advocate of nuclear energy, but is calling for a sensible and sound solution. According to the Bavarian government, this would mean postponing the shutdown of nuclear power plants and extending the operation of Germany's three remaining nuclear power plants by two to three years.

Andreas Lenz, energy policy spokesperson for the CSU parliamentary group, said he saw no contradictions in his party's stance on nuclear energy: "There is a difference between building new nuclear power plants and using existing ones for a limited period in a very tight electricity supply situation."

With regard to the Czech Republic's nuclear plans, Lenz added that all countries in Europe will have full autonomy over their energy policy.