A team led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is preparing to finalize contracts for the construction of two new nuclear power plants in the Dukovany region of the Czech Republic, with analyses suggesting significant economic ripple effects due to an influx of over 10,000 residents resulting from the nuclear power plant construction. The estimated project cost for the two Dukovany nuclear power plants is approximately 24 trillion won.
According to the nuclear power industry and foreign media on the 28th, the Czech government plans to draft a national action plan by June based on anticipated risks and expected benefits related to the construction of two new nuclear power plants in the Dukovany region. The consulting firm KPMG collected data from March to September of last year at the request of the Ministry of Regional Development and compiled a report on the expected ripple effects of the new nuclear power plant construction. This report aims to create a national action plan to prepare for concerns.
Dukovany is located about 170 km from the capital Prague and takes approximately two hours to reach by car. As of 2022, it is a small town with about 880 residents, and the nuclear power plant plays a significant role in the local economy. There are high expectations that the local economy will thrive as a large number of residents are expected to influx by 2030 when construction of the two new nuclear power plants begins.
The report anticipates that over 10,000 people will move to the Dukovany region while the new nuclear power plants are being constructed. It is projected that about 3,000 workers will be employed for the construction of the two nuclear power plants alone. As the influx of residents increases, the report forecasts that approximately 3,000 new dwellings and about 1,000 corporations could emerge by 2034. In particular, the construction, transportation, and trade industries are expected to benefit.
The commercial operation date for Units 5 and 6 in Dukovany is expected to be in 2036. The report estimates that between 230 billion and 250 billion koruna (approximately 136 trillion to 148 trillion won) will flow into the Dukovany region over the next 15 years. As the number of residents increases, local government tax revenue is also expected to rise to 1.5 billion koruna (approximately 88.7 billion won).
On the other hand, concerns have been raised about potential issues such as road congestion, deterioration of medical services, and lack of infrastructure due to the population increase. The national action plan is expected to address these issues. Currently, Dukovany has a low population and is situated far from urban areas, necessitating improvements in rail and public transportation. There is also a need for road development for workers and enhanced public transportation consolidation.
The level of healthcare in the region is low, and a sudden increase in population could further decrease the quality of services. At the initial construction stage, a large influx of construction workers may occur, which could lead to a shortage of technical and administrative personnel. Preparation is also necessary for the lack of educational, cultural, and recreational facilities for families moving in.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala noted, "We will submit a national action plan to predict and address the impacts on the community. We will establish a system to quickly resolve negative effects. We will not underestimate the risks associated with the construction of new nuclear power plants and will take preventive measures."