Czech nuclear plant second reactor approved
Date: 30-May-02
Country: CZECH REPUBLIC
The power plant, CEZ's the cheapest electricity source, launched the first reactor last year despite strong criticism from neighbouring Austria, a fiercely anti-nuclear country which would like to see the station shut.
Temelin spokesman Milan Nebesar told Reuters that a nuclear reaction in the second reactor could start early on Friday, if all preparatory steps go according to plan.
"Now we have a number of activities to do, start to pull out the regulatory rods etc, and if everything goes well, the reactor could be launched in 30 hours," he said.
CEZ loaded fuel into the second reactor in March. If the start is approved, the reactor would undergo further tests until the output is gradually raised to 100 percent.
The firm had technical problems at non-nuclear part of the first block and had to replace vibrating regulation valves, but the first reactor has now been operating at full capacity.
The combined output of the two VVER 1,000 reactors is 1,962 megawatts.
Though wrought by cost overruns, glitches and the diplomatic spat with Austria, CEZ believes the $2.75 billion plant will provide the cheap power needed to penetrate western European power markets.