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Czech and French experts devoted their attention to the development of nuclear energy on Tuesday, March 5, at the Czech-French Nuclear Forum in Prague. Among the attendees was also President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Invited guests included the rector of the University of West Bohemia, Miroslav Lávička, and the dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Zdeněk Peroutka. Josef Perlík, a member of the board of directors of the University of West Bohemia and executive director of the Czech Energy Alliance, also presented the readiness of the Czech industry.

In his speech, the French President mentioned and praised the existence of the Czech-French Nuclear Academy, established last year, which includes the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. "It will help create a new generation of highly qualified workforce for all nuclear applications, and in this context, also supports the creation of research partnerships and double degrees between the Czech Technical University in Prague, the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, and French universities and research centers. This is a significant step because we know that we will face a number of shortages in human resources," Macron said.

Czech experts at the forum showcased the country's capabilities to be an equal partner for the French side. Indeed, the French company EDF has been shortlisted in the tender for the completion of up to four nuclear blocks in Dukovany and Temelín. Whether the state chooses EDF or the Korean company KHNP, Czech companies will also be needed for the construction. "Our industry is ready for this challenge; Czech companies have experienced professionals and nuclear know-how, which they have long been applying in the construction and reconstruction of nuclear power plants both domestically and internationally. We have signed a memorandum of cooperation with EDF, but now it is necessary to start negotiating as soon as possible about the specific form and content of cooperation with individual companies," says Josef Perlík, executive director of the Czech Energy Association and a member of the board of directors of the University of West Bohemia. The Czech Republic should sign a contract with the selected supplier between 2024 and 2025. The first reactor should start operating in 2036.

According to Perlík, the education of new nuclear experts who will further develop projects in the coming years is also crucial.

The University of West Bohemia has already signed cooperation agreements with both companies (EDF and KHNP), which have been shortlisted for the completion of nuclear blocks. Cooperation includes scholarships, study stays, or internships for doctoral students and lecturers from the University of West Bohemia. "The connection between companies and the education system is crucial for such investments. The first tender for the completion of the Temelín nuclear power plant had a demonstrable impact on the interest of applicants in studying fields related to nuclear energy at our Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering," emphasized the rector of the University of West Bohemia, Miroslav Lávička.

According to the dean Zdeněk Peroutka, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering collaborates with French partners in the fields of research, development, and education, not only in nuclear technologies and nuclear energy. "The Czech-French Nuclear Forum has clearly confirmed that the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, and consequently the whole University of West Bohemia, shares a number of common goals with the French side in the field of nuclear energy, and there is room for the implementation of interesting projects," adds the dean.