Czech Temelin gets ok to load fuel in 2nd reactor
Date: 06-Mar-02
Country: CZECH REPUBLIC
Temelin's owner, state-owned power utility CEZ , has been testing the plant's first 981 MW reactor since late 2000 amid protests from neighbouring Austria, which fears the plant is unsafe and should be closed.
Temelin spokesman Milan Nebesar said 18 out of 163 fuel units for the second reactor would be installed late this week, just hours after CEZ received permission from the regulators.
He said in a statement that loading was expected to last for about 10 days and would be followed by tests in order to prepare the reactor for a controlled chain fission reaction that would be activated within six weeks.
The Soviet-designed station, which has been upgraded with western control systems, is located 60 km (38 miles) from the border of the fiercely anti-nuclear Austria.
The plant has become a source of unrelenting friction between the two central European neighbours.
Joerg Haider's Austrian Freedom Party has even threatened to block the Czech Republic's attempts to join the European Union from 2004 unless Temelin is completely shut down.
The Czechs have insisted the plant is safe and meets all international safety standards. EU officials have said Temelin is not an issue for membership talks.
During a news conference on 2001 earnings, CEZ's Chief Executive Jaroslav Mil said commercial testing operations at the first reactor - currently undergoing a thorough inspection - would be launched before mid-year.
Temelin's full launch has been delayed a number of times amid construction and testing problems, which have triggered protests against the plant in Austria and Germany.