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.