Czech Power Industry Alliance (CPIA) organised the first ever Czech-French Nuclear Industry Summit in Pilsen in early December. The goal of the event was 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 additional 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 companies contributing to nuclear power generation and new build.
The event was attended by His Excellency Alexis Dutertre, ambassador of France to the Czech Republic, who noted that the renewed Czech and French nuclear programs have basically the same timeline, 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 be considered. This naturally brings business opportunities for Czech companies,” the ambassador said.
The ties between the Czech and French nuclear industries are already strong. Several Czech companies, such as ŠKODA JS, Mandik, ZAT and MICo are already successful contributors to EPR projects around the world.
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 will 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 offering, stated that EDF has more than 40 years of experience in successfully implementing its 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.