PRAGUE : The Czech government on Wednesday (Jul 17) picked South Korea’s KHNP to build two new nuclear power units, with the possibility of more, after a lengthy tender aimed at keeping a big role for nuclear power in the country’s energy mix for decades.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) was picked over rival French bidder EDF, despite lobbying for EDF from French President Emmanuel Macron. #CzechNuclearTender
Prague expanded the tender to potentially include multiple units instead of the originally planned single unit. The 70% state-owned energy company CEZ runs the tender.
KHNP will build two new units at CEZ’s Dukovany nuclear plant. They will also discuss the option for two more units at Temelin.
The government estimated the price for one new unit at 200 billion crowns (US$8.65 billion) when building two at the same site. #CzechNuclearTender
“The Korean offer was better practically in all assessed criteria,” Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala told a news conference.
“We will build two blocks at Dukovany, and in this direction there will be negotiations. And we will discuss about options for another two blocks at Temelin about which we will be able to decide in the future.”
Prague plans to sign a deal with KHNP by the first quarter next year.
KHNP has helped put several new reactors online in recent years, including the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.
By contrast EDF, Europe’s only builder of nuclear reactors. has not completed construction of a new unit since 2019 amid project delays.
Looking ahead, this Czech nuclear tender decision will shape the country’s energy landscape. It aims to enhance energy security and reduce carbon emissions.
