Czechs to rely more on nuclear energy

[November 08, 2012]  PRAGUE (AP) -- Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas says his government is finalizing a plan to dramatically increase the country's nuclear power production.

Under the plan, at least two more reactors would be built at the Temelin nuclear plant and another at the Dukovany plant, both located near the border with Austria.

The Czech Republic's current six nuclear reactors produce a third of its electricity. Necas said Thursday the government wants that output to increase to at least 50 percent.

U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co. and a consortium led by Russia's Atomstroyexport are already bidding for the project

Some countries have shelved nuclear plans following last year's disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant. Austria has said it will use all means to try to stop the construction at Temelin.

[Associated Press]

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