Questions and Answers
GENERAL
Is MIR.1200 a Czech or Russian project?
MIR.1200 is a Czech project using Russian know-how for the key part of the nuclear island. It is primarily based on a long-term partnership of Czech, Russian, European and international companies being leaders in various fields of industry. It refers to more than half a century of experience and ensures future development of production and human resources in the field of the Czech nuclear power industry.
Who is the leader of the MIR.1200 Consortium?
ŠKODA JS a.s. is the leader. It is a company with a long tradition enjoying confidence of the Czech expert public. It is highly recognized by professionals, suppliers and customers.
How many work positions has the leader provided in the Czech economy so far?
The qualified staff directly connected with the activities of ŠKODA JS amount to 1, 000 own employees, 7, 000 suppliers´ employees and 30, 000 sub-suppliers´ employees.
What portion of supplies from the Czech Republic may be expected in the case that the Consortium wins?
Technological design solutions count on more than 70% of equipment, works and services supplies to come from the Czech Republic.
Are there any reference MIR.1200 projects round the world?
Yes, at present two MIR.1200 type units are being constructed in Russia (the LAES-2 NPP). Two units are in operation in Chinese Tianwan NPP, where the basic design solutions of MIR.1200 were implemented.
What other benefits for the Czech economy does the Consortium offer?
To Czech companies the MIR.1200 Consortium will offer participation in projects in third countries, it is ready to participate in improvement of the Czech technical education system and to support the preparation of a sufficient number of students for the anticipated expansion of the nuclear power industry.
How big is the influence the owner of ŠKODA JS, Russian group OMZ, applies on company management?
The OMZ company supervises fulfillment of strategic goals and supports development of business opportunities of ŠKODA JS. However it does not intervene in everyday operation of the company.
Won’t participation of Russian companies upon completion of Temelin NPP result in increased dependance of the Czech Republic on Russia?
No. It is not important who will actually complete the power plant as it is going to remain in the ownership of its operator, Czech company CEZ. Therefore Russia cannot possibly have any influence on its operation. On the contrary, CEZ will prospectively find itself in a much simpler situation in terms of operational maintenance as the leader of the MIR.1200 Consortium and the key technology suppliers reside in the Czech Republic. In fact, the completion will reduce our dependance on gas or oil.
TECHNICAL / ECONOMICAL ASPECTS
Which generation of reactors does the MIR.1200 project belong to?
MIR.1200 is based on VVER-type Generation III+ reactors.
Does the Czech Republic have any experience with the offered technology?
Yes, the bid is based on technology that is well known in the Czech Republic - it has already been used in Dukovany and Temelin NPP and the Consortium will build on the experience in the future. Scientific and technical teams experienced in the field of VVER technology have been established in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with the view of long-term cooperation.
Won’t the Czech Republic become dependent on the supplies of Russian nuclear fuel in the case of MIR.1200 implementation?
No, the fuel supplier can always be chosen in a separate tender.
Won’t the Czech Republic become dependent on the supplies of Russian spare parts and services?
No, although the project is based on a Russian design (VVER technology) it is not dependent on supplies of spare parts and services from Russia.
Is there a threat in terms of price increase during the construction?
The maximum involvement of Czech companies as well as the technological solutions of the MIR.1200 project enable the Consortium to control the price of NPP construction effectively. Due to involvement of local suppliers, CEZ may also count on lower costs of service and maintenance in the future.
Are VVER-type reactors reliable?
Yes, the nuclear power plants built in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary and other European countries on the basis of a Russian VVER-type light-water reactor are of the most reliable and effective plants both in Europe and worldwide. „According to international statistics, Dukovany NPP belongs to the 20% of the most safely operated nuclear power plants in the world. In the field of staff radiation protection, Dukovany and Temelin NPP actually take the leading positions“. (see www.sujb.cz)
ENVIRONMENTAL / SAFETY ASPECTS
Is MIR.1200 capable to fulfill the respective environmental and safety standards?
Yes, MIR.1200 is designed in full accordance with international standards and IAEA recommendations and it is characterized by increased safety standards. During MIR.1200 development, priority was put on environmental aspects of the project.
Will the MIR.1200 project contribute to fulfillment of the Czech engagements in the field of climatic policy?
Yes, in present the nuclear power industry is the only source of „clean“ electric power being technically and economically competitive. At the time when reducing production of green house gases is an essential issue, the MIR.1200 project can contribute to provision of energetic safety and energetic and ecological stability both locally and globally.
Is the project in accordance with Czech legal and safety regulations?
Yes, MIR.1200 guarantees strict observance of legal standards and regulations of the Czech Republic and European Union.
Is the issue of spent nuclear fuel disposal solved within this project?
Yes, MIR.1200 disposes of a complete set of radioactive waste handling and storage equipment, which is in full compliance with IAEA requirements and recommendations. The Consortium, as the only candidate, offers provision of spent fuel transport to the Russian Federation for reprocessing.
Wouldn’t it be better if the Czech Republic focused on renewable energy sources?
According to the State Energy Concept, renewable sources of energy shall form an integral part of Czech energy mix. However, in the given geographical conditions, renewable energy sources cannot possibly replace major sources of energy for basic load such as nuclear power plants. Moreover, nuclear power plants are emission-free power sources, same as the renewable ones.