CZECH POWER
Czech Power Industry Alliance (CPIA) organised the first ever Czech-French Nuclear Industry Summit in Pilsen in early December. The goal of the event is to support industrial cooperation between the two countries and their companies, not only in the light of planned construction of the fifth unit at the Dukovany power plant, but additionnal nuclear units in Dukovany, two units at Temelin as well as in small modular reactor (SMR) development.
One of the highlights of the event was the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between CPIA and its French counterpart GIFEN. The French association of nuclear industry was established in 2018 and it brings together both small and large companiescontributing to nuclear power generation and new build.
The event was attended by His Excellence Alexis Dutertre, ambassador of France to the Czech Republic, who noted that the renewed Czech and French nuclear programs have basicaly the same time line, opening the door to synergies and collaboration between the Czech and French supply chains. „France will build six new EPR nuclear reactors with the first one to be commissioned by 2035. Then eight more reactors shall de considered. This naturally brings business opportunities for Czech companies“, the ambassador said.
EDF´s approach to localisation
French company EDF, one of the Dukovany 5 bidders, used the opportunity in Pilsen to sign memorandums of cooperation with Czech companies that could be involved in the Dukovany 5 project: ABO Valve s.r.o., Elektro Kroměříž a.s., OSC, a.s. and Vítkovice Energetické strojírenství, a.s.
Sarah Illouz, Head of EDF’s Dukovany 5 EPR1200 offer, stated that EDF has more than 40 years of experience in sucessfully implementing it’s localisation process. „In the Dukovany 5 project our goal is to unlock maximal value and long-term engagement with Czech Industry,“ she stressed. „When building the EPR reactor at UK´s Hinkley Point C, 64% of the value remains with UK-based businesses. There is potential to reach high local content for the Czech nuclear new build project.“
Since January 2021, EDF has been active in preparing the Czech local supply chain to contribute to its EPR1200 offer. Since then, over 200 suppliers have already been identified.
EDF further emphasized that its localisation approach also integrates potential opportunities for the Czech companies beyond Dukovany 5, including participation in the French and European EPR nuclear programmes.
Signature of memorandum of understanding between CPIA and GIFEN
By Nathalie Allimann, Chair GIFEN International and Export Commission, Milan Šimonovský, Chairman of CPIA Board and František Krček, CEO ŠKODA JS. On the second picture CPIA Executive Director Josef Perlík and His Excellence Alexis Dutertre, ambassador of France to the Czech Republic.
