Czech utility CEZ has informed Areva that its bid for the contract to construct two more units at the Temelin nuclear power plant has been disqualified as it "failed to meet statutory requirements." Areva said it will appeal the decision, which leaves Westinghouse and a consortium led by AtomStroyExport vying for the contract.

Westinghouse has announced a strategic cooperation with Hutní Montáže, one of the Czech Republic's biggest construction and installation companies. The Czech company could perform a significant portion of the work if Westinghouse is awarded a contract for two AP1000 units at Temelin.

Three previously approved reactor vendors have today submitted their bids to Czech utility CEZ for the contract to build two more units at the Temelin nuclear power plant. A new public opinion poll has found strong support for their construction.

Rosatom has strengthened its supply chain by signing memoranda of cooperation with a further thirteen Czech companies. These companies could become subcontractors for a significant part of the work should the AtomStroyExport consortium win the tender to build two more units at Temelin.

Lithuania's government has approved the draft concession agreement for the planned Visaginas nuclear power plant as part of major legislation on strategic energy projects, while Czech power company CEZ confirms it is looking for a strategic partner for Temelin.

As the deadline for bids to construct two more units at the Czech Republic's Temelin nuclear power plant approaches, local engineering and construction companies continue to sign cooperation agreements with the three shortlisted reactor vendors.

Areva has signed a contract with Czech engineering firm TS Plzen for the supply of a new forging press and manipulator for its Le Creusot manufacturing plant.

Westinghouse has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Czech engineering company Metrostav, the latest in a series of agreements the reactor vendor has made in anticipation of the construction of AP1000 units in the Czech Republic.

Westinghouse has signed a memorandum of understanding with Czech engineering firm Vitkovice for the manufacture of key components for potential new AP1000 units in Czech Republic.

The first polar crane for use at the AP1000 reactors currently under construction at Sanmen, China, has begun its journey from the manufacturing plant in the USA, Westinghouse announced, as it talks to a potential partner in the Czech Republic.