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From 20th to 22nd January 2026, we welcomed more than a dozen experts from seven countries to ÚJV Řež for a prestigious meeting of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), focused on advances in material degradation and ageing management of components in VVER-type power plants. Specialists from the USA, Canada, China, Hungary, Finland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic met both in person and online, with the event chaired by Marek Postler, Head of the Department for Operational Support of Energy Facilities from the Integrity and Technical Engineering Division.
The meeting's main topic was the launch of a new revision of the key EPRI VVER Issue Management Tables (IMT) report, which regularly maps out and sets priorities for research and development in material degradation and ageing management of VVER units. This report and its regular updates provide practical tools to plant operators for planning the long-term safe operation of their facilities.
Based on operational experience and the latest findings, the expert team compiles “knowledge gaps” within the IMT report—specific areas where research, development and innovation need to be focused. These knowledge gaps are also prioritised according to their importance for the safety and long-term lifespan of the units. The usual revision cycle is set at four to five years, and in Řež, we have now initiated a new round that will build upon the last IMT review from 2021.
The revision means we are jointly updating the list of identified gaps, adding new data and operational experience, and reassessing priorities to match the current needs for the safe management of VVER-type power plants. Another working meeting of this group is planned for the end of this year, but the document’s revision will be actively underway throughout the year, with the new IMT revision expected to be published at the end of 2026.
For ÚJV Řež, the issue of material ageing management in the energy sector has long been a core area of expertise. Thanks to the Integrity and Technical Engineering Division, we possess strong know-how and international prestige in this field. The EPRI IMT report for VVER is a vital tool that helps all operators to identify and effectively tackle challenges related to the degradation of pressure vessels, reactor internals, steam generators and piping. Through our collaborative work with colleagues from around the world, we are strengthening safety not only in Temelín and Dukovany but for all VVER-type reactors.
