Westinghouse and Bechtel sign cooperation agreement with the Czech Energy Alliance

Local suppliers will play a significant role in the future of nuclear energy in Czechia

Westinghouse Electric Company and its construction partner Bechtel last night signed an agreement with the Czech Energy Alliance, z.s. The agreement represents an important step towards involving the highly qualified domestic nuclear industry in support of Westinghouse and Bechtel’s proposal to deploy AP1000 reactors in Czechia.

The signing establishes a working group intended to facilitate the participation of Czech companies in the deployment of up to four AP1000® reactors at the Dukovany and Temelín nuclear power plants. The selection of AP1000 technology in Poland, Bulgaria and Ukraine, as well as the potential deployment of the AP300™ small modular reactor, creates further opportunities for Czech suppliers across the region.

U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr Kathryn Huff attended the event alongside Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Goff. Both expressed the support of the United States government for the signatories of the memorandum of understanding.

“We see the signing of this agreement as a highly significant step in the mutual cooperation of all parties involved. The efforts of the newly established working group will ensure the maximum involvement of Czech industry in the construction of new nuclear capacity in Czechia, as a truly strategic partner for AP1000 technology,” said Czech Energy Alliance Executive Director Josef Perlík on the signing.

“Our AP1000 technology projects benefit significantly from extensive localisation of critical manufacturing and service work. I expect that at least 70% of the work on this major project will be awarded to Czech companies,” said David Durham, president of Westinghouse Energy Systems. “We are grateful for the partnership with the Czech Energy Alliance, from which Czechia will benefit for generations to come.”

“For more than 70 years, Bechtel has been at the forefront of delivering state-of-the-art technologies in nuclear energy,” said John Howanitz, president of Bechtel’s Global Nuclear, Security & Environmental business. “We know that the most successful projects involve local partnerships and maximum use of the capabilities and expertise of domestic suppliers to help our partners achieve their clean energy goals. We look forward to working with the Czech Energy Alliance, which will help us continue identifying potential suppliers and subcontractors with whom we could work to ensure Czechia’s energy security.”

The Czech Energy Alliance brings together the largest nuclear technology companies in Czechia. Its mission is to coordinate the strategic interests, key partnerships and cooperation of its member companies with partners including ministries and state regulatory authorities.

AP1000 is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. In the United States, at the Vogtle site in Georgia, one AP1000 unit began commercial operation in July, generating electricity for the grid, and the second unit is expected to begin commercial operation in the coming months. Four AP1000 reactors in China are currently setting records for operational performance and availability, while a further eight reactors are under construction there. The technology is also being considered at several other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom and North America.