EC investigating state support for new Czech nuclear unit in Dukovany

The European Commission started investigating whether the planned state financial support for the extension of the Czech Dukovany nuclear plant is in line with the rules of the European Union, it said in a press release on Thursday. The planned support includes a low-interest state loan that is to cover the costs of the construction, estimated at 7.5 billion euros.

According to the EC’s preliminary assessment, the project is necessary and the planned support makes the development of economic activities easier, but it it is unclear whether that is in accordance with the EU state aid rules.

The Czech state-controlled CEZ Group launched the tender for building a new unit of the nuclear plant in March. The construction is to begin in 2029 and its trial operation is to be launched in 2036. According to the Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela it is the biggest investment in the modern history of the country.