Temelin shuts down for repairs

The plant has had a series of problems

The controversial Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic has been shut down for repairs.

It is the sixth time that the Soviet-built plant has been shut down since it was fired up in October.

A plant spokesman said that engineers from the operating company would be carrying out repair work over over the next three weeks.

The head of the country's nuclear safety office, Dana Draboua, said the safety of the reactor was not in question.

Temelin has been a source of protests

"We cannot go on until this matter is resolved, not in terms of nuclear safety - we have so far raised no objections in this respect - but in terms of the reactor's operation," she said.

Earlier this month, the first reactor at the plant temporarily stopped operating after equipment malfunctioned and triggered an automatic shut-down.

Temelin has been a source of tension between the Czech Republic and neighbouring Austria.

Austria, which rejected nuclear energy in a referendum in 1978, is concerned over the safety of the plant, which lies 60km (40 miles) from its border.

The row between the two countries has made Austria threaten to stall talks over the Czech candidacy for EU membership.