CZECH POWER
The Czech-French Nuclear Forum once again hosted experts in the field of nuclear energy. The meeting in Prague’s Rudolfinum on 5 March was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron. According to the organisers, the main purpose of the event was to explore “the possibilities of cooperation between France and the Czech Republic in the field of nuclear energy”.
One of the bidders for the completion of new nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic is the French company EDF. According to its representatives, the French side promises to guarantee not only the construction of four nuclear units, but also the inclusion of the Czech industry in the project. According to the EDF management, this should subsequently open doors for domestic companies throughout Europe, where ERP reactors will be built.
“We need nuclear energy for our future and both our countries share this approach,” Emmanuel Macron told a packed Rudolfinum. It was not only from him that the vision of a French-led European nuclear industry was then expressed. And Czech companies should also have a firm place in the newly built supply chain. “Our industry is very strong and its position is unique,” said Josef Perlík, director of the Czech Energy Alliance, which brings together domestic nuclear suppliers, following the French president’s speech.
According to him, the Czech industry is ready for this challenge. Czech companies have experienced experts and nuclear know-how, which they have been applying for a long time in the construction and reconstruction of nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic and worldwide. He adds, “We have signed a memorandum with EDF for the completion of new nuclear units in our country, but it is now necessary to start urgent negotiations on the specific form and content of cooperation with individual companies.”
Josef Perlík also spoke in the main session, where he presented the competences of the Czech industry in the minimum involvement of 65% of the volume of contracts. Czech companies have also been striving for this volume for a long time through the Czech Power Industry Alliance and the French side has repeatedly declared it since last autumn.