ŠKODA JS a.s. – fifty years in the nuclear power industry

The year 1956 not only symbolizes the beginning of nuclear programme at ŠKODA JS a.s. at that time, but also the setting up of our company ŠKODA JS a.s. During the construction of the first Czechoslovak nuclear power plant called A-1, our company managed to form the required teams of professionals and to create conditions for the subsequent development of the company and its role in the energy industry. ŠKODA JS, being the first contractor at the A-1 power plant, completed the construction of the A-1 and then commissioned it in 1972.

In the latter part of the 20th century, (the early seventies to be exact), a decision was made that would allow Czechoslovakia to participate in the Russian VVER technology programme. ŠKODA JS, acting as a major contractor, supplied the primary part including the nuclear fuel handling system to the following NPPs: Bohunice and Mochovce in Slovakia, Dukovany and finally Temelín at the turn of the millennium. From 1980 to 1992, ŠKODA JS manufactured 21 reactor sets with a power output of 440 MWe, and 3 reactor sets with a power output of 1000 MWe. These sets were supplied to Czech and Slovak units as well as to units abroad.

The aforementioned contracts filled the whole of the company capacity, starting with the design and construction works, and ending with the manufacture together with the required contractual services. The completion of the Temelín nuclear power plant marked the end of a lengthy period, during which ŠKODA JS worked on the construction of the VVER-type nuclear power plants. Our company then went through hard times, more so because of the worldwide stagnation in nuclear power caused by the events that took place at Chernobyl. 

Consequently, it became necessary to define a new business strategy for our company. The aim was to penetrate new markets by offering products that differed from our existing ones. In 2000, ŠKODA JS changed its management, restructured the company and identified the main business areas for the future as:

The company has gradually become fully competitive in all the said areas of business, and not only on the Czech market but on foreign ones as well.

In July 2004, the parent company ŠKODA HOLDING a.s. sold 100% of its shares to the Russian company OMZ. At this stage ŠKODA JS presented itself as a stable and consolidated company with a secured volume of  contracts. In its business activities portfolio, the new owner allocated a sizeable part of their activities to nuclear power. This is very promising for the future development of the nuclear programme at ŠKODA JS.

The project known as “Dukovany NPP Instrumentation & Control System Refurbishment” is currently being carried out. This project represents the largest Czech nuclear power project of this decade. ŠKODA JS a.s. had to beat off tough competition to win the General Contractor contract, applying the turnkey method, to complete the renovation by 2015. Furthermore, the provision of services for the operators of the VVER-type power plants and the manufacture of the equipment for storage of spent nuclear fuel, represent the substantial part of the company’s turnover.

The economic results of our company for preceding financial year were very positive, and represented several consecutive year of substantial profit for our company.  We have cooperated successfully with Czech partners as well as major foreign companies, for example: the French Areva NP, the American Westinghouse Electric, the German GNS, etc.

The development of our company over the last few years has engendered a true sense of confidence, which in turn acts as a stimulus for the future.

Miroslav Fiala
Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director

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