Temelin-1 reactor unit commissioning and start-up

The Temelin-1 commissioning process was affected substantially by the change in the Czech political situation in 1989. The effects thereof were both favourable and unfavourable. Among favourable effects are the replacement of the original Instrumentation and Control System by a more advanced system and design changes which have brought about additional improvement of the Temelin NPP design safety, although on the other hand, this had an adverse impact on the time span and price of the power plant construction. Additional adverse effects included an unstable political and economic situation, associated with frequent changes in the management of the utility CEZ, a.s. (owner of the plant) as well as frequent replacement of persons in the position of the managing director of the Temelin plant itself. Despite all the difficulties encountered, Temelin-1 reactor unit could be ultimately put into trial operation in June 2002. (author)