ENERGO: Czech nuclear power plant could be expanded by two more blocks, says PM

Two new blocks at the Temelin nuclear power plant (NPP) could be built in the future, once the one currently being constructed at Dukovany is finished, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Industry Minister Karel Havlicek (both ANO) said during their tour at Temelin, according to the Czech News Agency. 

As Havlicek noted, this has to be decided by the next government that will come out of the autumn general elections. A new bloc could produce up to 1,600 MW of power, the minister said, becoming a stable source of energy once the remaining coal plants are shut down.

According to experts asked by the Czech News Agency, the ongoing discussion on the Dukovany NPP expansion overshadows a debate on the wider challenges within the Czech energy sector. 

The government should update the state energy strategy and related legislation, said Czech Chamber of Commerce President Vladimir Dlouhy. The next government should also set up the new position of an expert for the green economy, added the head of the Czech Modern Energy Union, Martin Sedlak.