Czech Republic ditches 18 nuclear reactors

The Czech Republic is scrapping plans to build 18 new nuclear reactors by 2060 and will instead focus on expanding the Temelín nuclear power plant, the new Czech minister for economic affairs, Martin Kuba, announced during his first press conference on Tuesday. With the decision he distances himself from the plans of his predecessor Martin Kocourek, who resigned amidst allegations of dubious financial dealings. The business paper Hospodářské noviny goes even further: "How much energy do we actually need? What does it mean that there will be less emphasis on nuclear power than planned? How will this affect energy prices? ... Kocourek was serious about building 18 new reactors without ever talking seriously about the costs. Never mind that the Czech Republic is a neighbour of Germany, which has just said goodbye to nuclear power, and Austria, which is allergic to anything nuclear in the Czech Republic. It's a disgrace that Kocourek was sacked from government only because of his financial dealings."

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