Finance
Czechs Extend Lifespan of Major Nuclear Plant by 20 Years, Second Plant Under Review
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 9, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 9, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleQuick Summary
The Czech government will extend the operational lifespan of the four Dukovany reactors by 20 years, to approximately 80 years—i.e., until 2065–2067. Plans are also underway to assess lifetime extensions at Temelín and pursue new small modular reactors (SMRs).
Czechs Extend Dukovany Nuclear Plant Operation to 2065-2067, Review Underway for Second Facility
Extension of Dukovany Nuclear Plant Lifespan and Future Plans
Dukovany Nuclear Plant Lifespan Extension
PRAGUE, April 9 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic will extend the lifespan of the existing four units of the Dukovany nuclear power plant by 20 years, to 80 years, and keep them running until 2065-2067, Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlicek said on Thursday.
Plant Background and Capacity
Dukovany, owned by the majority state-owned power company CEZ, was opened in 1985-1987 and its Soviet-designed VVER reactors have capacity of just over 2,000 megawatts.
International Context and Energy Security
The decision follows some other nuclear plant lifespan extensions, especially in France, as countries look to secure sufficient supplies after the gradual end of fossil fuels.
Integration with New Units
The decision means that for an extended period the old units will be running alongside two new 1,000-megawatt units to be built at the Dukovany site under a contract with South Korea's KHNP by the late 2030s.
Review of Temelin Nuclear Plant and Future Developments
Temelin Nuclear Plant Lifespan Review
CEZ Chief Executive Daniel Benes said a similar analysis on extending the operating life was underway for CEZ's second nuclear power plant Temelin, which operates two 1,086-megawatt units.
Small Modular Reactors and International Partnerships
CEZ is also looking at building several new-generation small modular reactors, and has taken a minority stake in a unit of Britain's Rolls Royce developing the reactors.
Energy Production and Coal Phase-Out
The Czech Republic depends mostly on nuclear and coal plants for electricity production, with coal units expected to be phased out by around 2030, although the current government as been keen to keep some coal capacity running to ensure energy security.
(Reporting by Jan Lopatka, editing by Jason Hovet and Chizu Nomiyama )
Key Takeaways
- •Dukovany’s four Soviet‑designed VVER reactors, operational since 1985–1987, will now run into the mid‑2060s following safety and modernization upgrades. Estimation aligns with the US practice of 80‑year nuclear lifespans. (neimagazine.com)
- •CEZ also acquired a ~20 % stake in Rolls‑Royce SMR, enabling deployment of up to 3 GW of SMR capacity in Czechia by mid‑2030s and complementing new large reactors from KHNP at Dukovany. (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Czechs extend lifespan of major nuclear plant by 20 years, second plant under review
1How long will the Dukovany nuclear plant operate after the extension?
The Dukovany nuclear plant will operate for an additional 20 years, until 2065-2067.
2Who owns the Dukovany nuclear power plant?
Dukovany is owned by CEZ, a majority state-owned power company in the Czech Republic.
3Is there a review for extending another Czech nuclear plant's lifespan?
Yes, a similar analysis is underway to extend the operating life of the Temelin nuclear power plant.
4Why is the Czech Republic extending nuclear plant lifespans?
The extension aims to secure sufficient electricity supplies after the gradual end of fossil fuels.
5What is the Czech Republic's plan for coal and nuclear electricity?
Coal plants are expected to be phased out by 2030, while nuclear will remain a primary energy source.
