The Czech Republic has created a solid base for the further development of the country's radioactive waste management system, an International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts has concluded.

ČEZ subsidiary Elektrárna Dukovany II has received final bids from the three potential suppliers for a new nuclear unit at Dukovany, as well as non-binding offers for three more future reactors.

The application for a zoning decision for up to two new nuclear power units at Dukovany in the Czech Republic was submitted in 2021 and ČEZ says the approval by the Ministry of Industry and Trade is a "key milestone".

The pilot phase of the joint early regulatory review of France's Nuward small modular reactor design has led to positive lessons for all sides, and three more European regulators are set to join the next phase, a meeting at the 67th International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference has been told.

Operator ČEZ says that the transition from a 12-month to an 18-month fuel cycle has begun at Temelín's second unit, part of the company's investment programme to boost efficiency and pave the way for the planned 60-year operation of the plant.

The Czech company ČEZ has pushed back the deadline to the end of October for final bids to be submitted to construct a new nuclear unit at the Dukovany nuclear power plant.

Proposals from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia have been selected to receive US support for coal-to-small modular reactor feasibility studies under Project Phoenix. The USA is also to set up a 'one-stop shop' to support countries in Europe and Eurasia that are approaching SMR deployment decisions.

In a speech to open a conference discussing future strategy for the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the country would need as many as four new nuclear power units.

Škoda JS Director General František Krček says he believes Czech industry could handle a majority of the work for new nuclear plants in the country - and says he also hopes for orders relating to small modular reactors within five years.

Sixteen falcon chicks have been successfully hatched from across Czech energy group ČEZs power plants this year, bringing the total to 163 since the programme began in 2011.

The VR-2 research reactor, construction of which began last year, has entered operation at the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague. The reactor will mainly be used for teaching nuclear engineering students.

The Czech Republic is committed to maintaining and strengthening its robust regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety, an International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts has concluded. The Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission team identified areas for possible improvements.