Nuclear Energy and EU Enlargement

The guest speaker, Jaroslav Mill, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Czech Energy Company CEZ gave a presentation particularly focusing on the situation in the Czech Republic.

He gave an overview of the CEZ business activities which covers 60 per cent of Czech electricity demand (10 150 MW) with its ten coal fired power plants, thirteen hydro plants, one nuclear power station Dukovany (four reactors) and three small scale renewable sources installations.

According to Jaroslav Mil, due to heavy investment in the modernisation of plants and the harmonisation of standards CEZ, has achieved a very good level of safety and environmentally friendly status. The company supports wholeheartedly opening up of the European electricity market.

Jaroslav Mil also concentrated on the nuclear energy situation in other EU applicant states and explained the situation in the CEZ owned Temelin NPP which is currently being commissioned. According to several safety assessments and missions run by the Czech Regulatory authorities with WENRA, WANO and IAEA, the Czech plants can be upgraded to meet international safety standards.

Concerning the contacts with the Austrians, Mr. Mill said that the discussions on Temelin has been too politicised and has not concentrated enough on objective technical data.

It was pointed out that three Members of the European Parliament had recently visited the Temelin NPP and met the head of the Czech nuclear regulator. According to their report, the commissioning of the Temelin NPP does not create a threat to nuclear security and, therefore, should proceed as planned.