Nuclear fuel arrives at Temelin

The Temelin plant has caused friction between the Czech Republic and Austria

TEMELIN, Czech Republic -- A train carrying nuclear fuel has arrived under tight security at the controversial Temelin nuclear power plant in the southern Czech Republic.

The fuel arrived on Sunday making the long journey from the northern Polish seaport of Szczecin, plant director Frantisek Hezoucky said.

A train carrying nuclear waste from Germany to France sparked huge protests earlier in the month but there were no incidents reported at the Temelin plant.

But the controversial $2.6 billion plant, built just over 50 km (31 miles) from the borders of neighbouring Austria, has had a rocky start.

It suffered several shutdowns during testing because of vibrations and a crack in steam piping in Temelin's turbine in the non-nuclear, power-generating part of the station.

Austrian protesters have staged border blockades demanding its closure, and a series of minor failures have forced repeated shutdowns since it was first launched last October.

Austria says the station, which combines a Russian VVER-1,000 reactor with a U.S.-made control system by Westinghouse, may be unsafe.

Its operator, the government-controlled power company CEZ, insists it is a state-of-the-art project.

A recent Czech-led independent commission, which included observers from the EU, Austria and Germany, gave Temelin high marks in an environmental impact study.

But Austria has in the past threatened to block Prague's bid to join the European Union unless its demands for full safety inspections are met.

Protest at Czech nuclear power plant
February 12, 2001
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December 13, 2000
Temelin protesters end blockades
November 10, 2000
Czech nuclear plant sparks fury
October 10, 2000
Czechs, Austrians look to EU in nuclear row
October 12, 2000

Czech Republic
CEZ power company
International Atomic Energy Agency

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