Temelín units set to operate for up to 80 years. Czechia to pour billions into them

Both units at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant could generate electricity for up to 80 years after being commissioned. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček (ANO) told journalists today. They could therefore remain in operation until 2080 and 2082, 20 years longer than previously stated. The minister already announced the extension of the operating lifetime to 80 years in April at Dukovany. At both plants, longer operation will require further major investment in modernisation, amounting to five to six billion crowns annually at each.

The plan to operate Dukovany and Temelín for 80 years is based on economic and technical analyses by ČEZ, which the company worked on for several years. "The Temelín Nuclear Power Plant has long demonstrated top-level safety and reliability," said Daniel Beneš, CEO of the ČEZ Group, adding that this was the basis for considering an extension of the Temelín units' lifetime. "We ultimately see this trend (of extending lifetimes) in other countries as well," said Štěpán Kochánek, chairman of the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB), pointing to the US and France, for example.

"Our main objective is indeed to ensure that the plant is operated safely and that its operation does not endanger anyone," he added.

The lifetime of nuclear power plants is not set by a fixed time limit in Czechia. The key criterion is the technical condition of the plant's essential equipment.

"This is undoubtedly good news for Czech industry as well, because the extension also means further investment, which will amount to around five to six billion crowns annually. I am speaking only about Temelín, which means a major opportunity for Czech engineers, Czech suppliers and Czech manufacturers, who are genuinely playing in the premier league globally today, including the fact that we are now preparing for small modular reactors, where we are also involving Czech industry," Havlíček said.

He added that the additional 20-year extension would also have a highly positive impact on ČEZ's economy.

Beneš also recalled that when the units were commissioned in 2000 and 2002, they were expected to operate for 60 years. "Our analyses show that we can go to 80 years. This is the case from the perspective of safety, the lifetime of individual components and economics alike. We had been preparing the lifetime-extension project for several years. We conducted a whole range of analyses. Those analyses were very thorough. Dozens of experts worked on them. As you certainly know, we have top nuclear energy specialists and professionals here at Temelín," Beneš said.

During operation, ČEZ increased the electrical output of the Temelín units from the original 1962 MW to 2172 MW as a result of extensive modernisation. The modernisations needed for 80 years of operation at Temelín include, for example, the planned replacement of generators, renewal of selected pipeline routes, valves and electrical components, as well as replacement of part of the control and safety systems.

ČEZ invests billions of crowns annually in the modernisation of its nuclear power plants. This year's investment at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant will reach 3,8 billion crowns, 700 million more than last year. This year, the plant is completing its transition to a longer fuel cycle, while modernisation of the control system and the expansion of artificial intelligence and modern inspection methods continue.