An agreement was signed between Westinghouse Electric Company and CEZ, which provides for the supply of VVER-440 fuel to the Dukovany nuclear power plant starting next year. The value of the contract, which should last at least 7 years, is expected to be in the order of billions of CZK.

Westinghouse and the French company Framatome were also selected last year to supply fuel for the Temelín nuclear power plant. The first batch of fuel is expected to arrive at Dukovany next year, paving the way for a complete transition of the two Czech nuclear power plants from Russian to US fuel by 2024. Westinghouse Electric Company operates in 19 countries and offers services in the design, construction, management and maintenance of nuclear power plants. It also specializes in the manufacture and service of key components for these facilities.

Westinghouse's growing presence in the Czech Republic's nuclear power industry is evidenced by its inclusion among the three bidders for the construction of the new reactor at Dukovany. The other two bidders are the French company EDF and the South Korean company KHNP. CEZ plans to start operation of the new reactor in 2036 and to complete a contract worth about CZK 160 billion with the winning bidder next year.

However, the US fuel will have to go through a licensing process with the State Nuclear Safety Authority (SNSA). This process is neither easy nor cheap, and the government has set aside CZK 400 million for it. The Russian company TVEL, a subsidiary of the Russian state holding Rosatom, has supplied fuel to the Dukovany nuclear power plant for almost 40 years since the plant was built.