New reactors at Dukovany comply with Euratom, EDU II says

Investment in the construction of two new nuclear reactors at Dukovany is in line with the objectives of the Euratom Treaty, according to the European Commission (EC). Alice Horáková, spokesperson for Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II), the investor in the new nuclear source project, told ČTK today. Although the opinion is non-binding, it carries significant political weight and is taken into account in subsequent proceedings, the spokesperson said. The new units will be built by South Korea's KHNP.

"We welcome the European Commission's positive opinion on our project. It is another important piece in the complex puzzle of various permits, opinions and statements that the new units must obtain," Jiří Füzér, director of the quality and safety department at EDU II, said in a statement.

Under the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), member states must notify investment projects in nuclear energy in advance, such as the construction of new facilities or major changes to existing nuclear installations. The EC then assesses whether a project is consistent with the EU's long-term energy needs, whether it fits into Europe's overall power generation structure and whether it meets health and public protection requirements, the EDU II spokesperson said.

The project to build new APR1000 nuclear units at Dukovany is consistent with the treaty's objectives, according to the EC's opinion. The opinion is not legally binding in the sense that it would authorise or prohibit the investment. However, it is often used as a basis for assessing state aid (so-called notification) or in other proceedings at EU level, as well as, for example, for construction permits, EDU II said.

The four units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant were commissioned between 1985 and 1987. The contract to build two additional Dukovany units was awarded to South Korea's KHNP. Geological surveys for these units began last August. Drilling work ended last month. The first new Dukovany unit could be completed in 2036, with the second following a year later.