French Companies Interested in Expanding Czech Nuclear Program

During his visit to Prague, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said French state-contolled companies such as Electricite de France and Areva are interested in expdanding the Czech Republic's nuclear program.

MOSCOW, December 9 (Sputnik) — French energy companies are interested in developing the Czech’s nuclear program, according to country’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

Dyring his visit to Prague on Tuesday, Valls told a Czech-French business forum that state-controlled companies such as utility Electricite de France and nuclear engineering giant Areva "are ready to react to the decision" to expand the country's nuclear energy output, according to Associated Press.

The Czech Republic and France, unlike other European countries such as Germany or Austria, are heavily dependent on nuclear energy.

This year, Czech authorities are expected to approve a plan to build new reactors in both Czech nuclear plants, Temelin and Dukovany.

The country’s current six nuclear reactors produce a third of its electricity, and the initiative would increase the share to at least 50 percent.

In October, France signed an intergovernmental agreement with South Africa on cooperation in nuclear energy development. The agreement is expected to open the way for Areva to build eight nuclear reactors in South Africa worth up to $50 billion.