Uprated Czech unit back in full operation

Tuesday, 6 December 2011 Unit 1 of the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic was operating at full power on 25 November following a modernization that resulted in a 46 MWe uprate, utility CEZ said. The VVER pressurized water reactor has operated since 1985 and is now rated at 502 MWe gross, up from the previous 456 MWe. All four Dukovany units were uprated from 440 to 456 MWe gross between 2005 and 2008 by replacing their low-pressure turbines as part of a program to boost Dukovany's gross output by 240 MWe by 2012. This should ultimately result in the plant producing 16 TWh per year for use by power consumers from 2013. Uprates of 38 MWe each at units 3 and 4 were completed in May 2009 and December 2010, respectively, which brought their gross capacities to almost 500 MWe. This was achieved by using improved fuel, replacing the high-pressure turbines, refurbishing the generators, and instrumentation and control changes. A similar uprate is planned for unit 2.