Meanwhile, Visegrad countries remain dependent on non-renewable energy sources like nuclear power and coal generated energy.

In the Czech kafuffle with Austria, the Austrian Ministry of Environment pointed out that the Czech Republic already runs an energy surplus, and thus has little need for the nuclear power plant it currently runs, called Temelin. People who live near the plant also claim it is a potential health risk, and are worried the Czech government will store nuclear waste in their backyards.

Government divided
The Czech government is itself divided over the issue of the plant, which employs some 1,100 people. Ultimately, it is sending a host of crossed signals. Last fall, the Industry and Trade Ministry sided with nuclear energy as the cheapest long-term option in proposing to build two new nuclear reactors, probably at Temelin, by 2009. In the same month, Austria's Environment Minister Josef Proell claimed that Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda had pledged not to undertake the planned nuclear expansion during a meeting in Prague.

CEZ operates the controversial Temelin nuclear plant in the Czech Republic

Svoboda responded quickly. "Under no circumstances is the construction or expansion of a nuclear power plant on Czech territory being decided now," he told the Czech News Agency. "The government has not discussed such a matter. We are trustworthy.”

The contentious issue is two active nuclear reactors in Temelin, some 50 kilometers shy of the Austrian border. For the last 10 years the plant has been the target of cross-border blockades from environmentalists, lawsuits from citizens, and even a diplomatic protest from the Austrian embassy. Czech officials assert that they will continue talks with Austria about nuclear expansion, and discuss with its own people the prospect of local nuclear storage.

Environmentalists protest
In January about 150 protesters from South Bohemia gathered outside Czech Parliament to protest the proposal to build the nuclear storage facilities. The government in turn held referendums across the area to probe public opinion, which showed that a strong majority of citizens felt negatively about the prospects of nuclear waste storage in their area. The protests became part of a wider anti-nuclear movement that spans from South Bohemia to Austrian and German borders.

Dana Kuchtova, of South Bohemian Mothers, a non-governmental organization, claims that since the Velvet Revolution and systemic changes in the region there has been a strong anti-nuclear sentiment in Czech Republic and Central Europe.

" We have made blockades and petitions and have tried all forms of protest. There were even common demonstrations from the Austrian and Czechs,” said Kuchtova. "Yet these protests bring no discussion with government."

The construction of Temelin first began in 1986. Czech and Austrian environmentalists claimed it unsafe because it combined Russian design with Western fuel and safety technology. Although Temelin meets and even exceeds EU safety standards for nuclear power plants, it has remained controversial.

Kuchtova said that in South Bohemia, many people are more aligned with Austrian and German environmental approaches, and would like to see changes in the choices of energy sources, as their country remains heavily dependent on coal and nuclear fuels.

Neighboring Austria, meanwhile, is a world leader in renewable energies, with its last nuclear facility closed in 1978. The presence of a nuclear plant at its border is an uncomfortable subject. Since discussion began about Temelin, Austria and environmental groups like Greenpeace have made public efforts to denounce nuclear power.

In response, CEZ, the majority-owned government firm that operates Temelin, launched a massive public relations campaign in the region. The company spent the equivalent of some EUR 3 million, including economic support for development of schools and medical facilities. The company further developed an information center for those interested in learning about nuclear power. Today this center also provides online information in German, English and Czech for those interested.

Wanted: Cheap energy fast
The core of the issue is that the Czech government is scrambling to find a cost-effective solution as the country prepares to close down most of its brown coal plants to adhere to EU green policies. In making these moves, and to avoid a shock on the local economy, one alternative proposed was to build two new reactors at Temelin to meet supply targets by 2009.

Nuclear energy accounts for one-third of the country's electricity and 17 percent of its total energy needs. The country's operating nuclear plants, Temelin and Dukovany, in South Moravia are the sole providers. The rest of Czech energy mainly comes from fossil fuels (coal and oil).

Dukovany is to be closed by 2027, and CEZ plans to reduce coal production in 2010 as its older plants will be offline. The Czech Industry and Trade Ministry predicts domestic coal supplies will be depleted by 2060. Milan Nebesar, a spokesperson for the Temelin nuclear power facility said there is some small-scale research in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. He maintains, however, that the focus of CEZ is to upgrade their existing coal plants.

" We will see what is developing in new energetics, but first we will evaluate the proposals of the Czech government," Nebesar said.

The Czech government owns 67 percent of CEZ and largely determines how it operates. While the Temelin nuclear plant is CEZ’s most-known energy plant, the bulk of its power is drawn from coal. Yet by 2015 many of its coal-burning power stations will close and must be replaced. The conundrum of the company is how to cope with growing energy demands and remain profitable.

The Czech Ministry of Trade supports additional nuclear power, while environment ministry wants current levels maintained. In January, the Czech government buckled on its pro-nuclear position by delaying a vote for nuclear expansion for two months so it can proceed with more talks with Austria. Milan Nebesar does not deny that CEZ has an energy surplus, but he explains it is the situation for those in energetics who must deal with pending coal plant closures and growing energy needs.

" We have some exports, yes, quite a lot,” he said. "Nowadays that is the situation because we have to modernize energetics in the next four years, and we will need more power.’’

While CEZ does not expect to penetrate the Austrian energy market, with its energy surplus CEZ could take advantage of the EU’s plan for full liberalization of the electricity market in 2007. CEZ wants to be a leading energy exporter in Eastern Europe. It has active tenders for a number of energy plants that are being privatized in Slovakia and Bulgaria. The company also has further long-term plans to enter the Hungarian and Polish markets.

According to Reuters news agency, a spokesperson with the Czech government said a vote for nuclear expansion will be delayed until March. Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pecina, who prepared the 2004-2030 energy policy draft, said the government planned to hold a seminar and talks with anti-nuclear neighbor Austria. This all occurs while the Czech government is preparing for EU accession in May. With more talks planned, the issue will likely be buried until another protest is launched - probably in time for ceremonies in Brussels.

Nuclear Energy in Visegrád Nations

Czech republic
The Czech Republic has two nuclear power plants, Dukovany and Temelin. After years of delay, on Oct. 9, 2000, the Czech Nuclear Safety Authority cleared Temelín for operation, located only 37 miles from the Austrian border. The first reactor was connected to the national grid in December 2000. The reactor has been shut down a number of times due to technical problems, all while posing no health risks. The second unit of the Czech Temelín nuclear power plant was put into trial operation on April 18, 2003. Nuclear power currently generates 30 percent of Czech electricity.

Slovak republic
Slovakia has two nuclear power plants, which generated an estimated 54 percent of Slovakia's electricity in 2001. The Jaslovske Bohunice plant at Trnava has four, 408-MW reactors that are functioning, and one decommissioned reactor. The plant's two older reactors are due to be decommissioned in 2006 and 2008 as part of the energy chapter of Slovakia's accession agreement with the EU. The Mochovce plant has two 412-MW reactors in operation and two uncompleted reactors. Construction of these reactors has been halted, as government financial support for them has ended.

HUNGARY
The PAKS nuclear power plant in Hungary consists of four, Soviet-designed, second generation VVER-440/213 reactor units. There are plans not only to expand generation capacity of the reactors by 8 percent, but to extend the life cycle of the reactor units by 20 years. The normal lifespan of the four units ends between 2012 and 2017. In order to ensure continuous operation of the plant, the necessary modernization improvements would have to begin in 2007. On April 10, 2003, some fuel rods in Unit 2 were damaged, causing a radioactive gas leak. According to reports, the leak constituted no threat to the environment, but the incident could result in major financial losses to the company.

POLAND
The Republic of Poland has no nuclear energy production, however it does have significant coal resources of high quality. In fact, the Polish power sector is the largest in Central Europe and Poland is one of the most coal dependent countries in the world. Electricity generation in Poland is predominantly coal-based. Coal accounts for 97 percent of all electric power produced, the remaining three percent coming from hydroelectric facilities.

Sources: Energy Information Administration and US Department of Fossil Energy