Sixty year lifespan being sought for nuclear reactors

The Austrian government has expressed its opposition to Czech plans to extend the operational life of the Dukovany nuclear reactor by up to 60 years, according to Wednesday’s edition of the business daily E15. Approval will be sought soon for the first of the four reactors at the site to be given a 10 year operational extension until 2025. Similar proceedings should follow for the remaining three reactors. Czech state owned electricity producer ČEZ would like to extend the life of the four units, completed in 1985 and the following years, to at least 2025 and if possible to 2045. Consultations with neighbouring countries have been held over the Czech Republic’s long term energy policy which should be finalized this year.