Westinghouse to upgrade Temelin I&C systems

The Czech government decided in 1993 to complete two of the four Temelin VVER units that were under construction and to replace the original I&C systems with Westinghouse's then state-of-the-art digital control and management systems. Temelin units 1 and 2 have been in operation since 2000 and 2003, respectively.

"We will replace an integrated complex set of several fully redundant I&C systems that have been operating reliably at the Temelin plant since their original installation in 2000," said Bohdan Zronek, Director of ČEZ's nuclear power division. "This upgrade is a carefully planned step-by-step process of gradual renewal of the existing I&C equipment. This improvement will enable us to reach our long-term operation goals."

He noted the upgrade "is not a solution to a sudden need, but a carefully prepared step in the gradual renewal of the equipment with a view to the planned 60-year and possibly even longer operation. This is why the entire project is spread out until 2029."

The project is the culmination of over a decade of technical cooperation between ČEZ and Westinghouse and will be the largest commercial agreement signed for I&C since the equipment was installed originally, Westinghouse said. ČEZ and Westinghouse's strategic cooperation focuses on asset management for mission critical I&C systems and began when the first I&C service contract between the two companies was signed in 2006.

"This agreement requires a seamless approach during this complex system upgrade," said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President, EMEA Operating Plant Services. "We are proud to partner with ČEZ on this I&C major system upgrade which will allow a continuous operation of this key Czech carbon-free source of energy."

ČEZ said it has been preparing the I&C systems upgrade project for three years, when specialists specified the needs and, above all, the schedule of work. It will start the physical work together with Westinghouse this year, but some of the activities will only be possible during the planned major outages for fuel replacement. The next one is due at Temelin in April next year.