A new contract for a nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic worth approximately 25 trillion won (400 billion koruna) has been signed. As soon as the Czech court's decision that had been holding it back was nullified, the contract signed by the Korean side was countersigned by the Czech side, finalizing the agreement. This marks the first entry into the European nuclear power market, the home of nuclear power, in 16 years since the Arab Emirates (UAE) nuclear power plant in 2009.
According to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) on the 5th, KHNP and the Dukovany II Nuclear Power Plant (EDU II) signed the main contract for the new nuclear power project in the Czech Republic on the 4th (local time). With this contract, KHNP will supply two units of the 1000MW-class Korean nuclear reactor APR1000 in the Dukovany region of the Czech Republic. This came after KHNP was selected as the preferred bidder in July 2024, followed by about nine months of technical and commercial negotiations with EDU II.
The contract was finalized as the Czech Supreme Administrative Court ruled in favor of KHNP. Earlier, on February 6, the Czech District Court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the signing of the contract due to a lawsuit filed by Electricité de France S.A. (EDF), a competitor in the bidding for the new nuclear power project in the Czech Republic. Both the ordering party, EDU II, and KHNP appealed the decision to the Czech Supreme Administrative Court, and on the 4th, the court ultimately overturned the restraining order, allowing for the contract signing.
According to the nuclear power industry, the new nuclear power project in the Czech Republic is the largest in the country's modern history and is essential for achieving national energy security and carbon neutrality goals. The Czech Republic is considering building up to four nuclear power plants to enhance the role of nuclear power in its decarbonization strategy for national energy and climate policy.
When bidding began in March 2022, the project scale was the construction of the Dukovany Unit 5 (one nuclear reactor). However, in January 2024, the Czech government decided to expand the project scale and requested the bidders, including KHNP, to submit bids that included additional proposals for three more units (Dukovany Units 6 and Temelin Units 3 and 4). The Czech government and EDU II announced that, in July 2024, they selected KHNP as the preferred bidder and would prioritize the construction of Dukovany Units 5 and 6, later deciding whether to proceed with the construction of Temelin Units 3 and 4. If the Czech government decides to build an additional two nuclear power plants in Temelin within the next five years, KHNP will be able to finalize contracts after negotiating with the ordering party.
As the main contractor, KHNP will provide the overall construction services for the nuclear power project, including engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), commissioning, and supply of nuclear fuel, in collaboration with Team Korea, consisting of KEPCO E&C (design), Doosan Enerbility (main equipment and construction), Daewoo E&C (construction), KEPCO Fuel (nuclear fuel), and KEPCO KPS (commissioning and maintenance).
In the future, both companies plan to hold a kick-off meeting and begin full-scale project execution. Along with this, KHNP plans to enter into subcontracting agreements with Team Korea (KEPCO E&C, KEPCO KPS, KEPCO Fuel, Doosan Enerbility, Daewoo E&C, etc.) in each participating field.
Additionally, to support the domestic nuclear industry wishing to participate in the Czech nuclear project, guidance sessions will be held twice this year regarding the qualified supplier registration process, auxiliary equipment list, quality, and technical standards.
Furthermore, KHNP has initiated the establishment of a construction information system to manage project documents, permits, and schedules from the negotiation stage to ensure stable project initiation and plans to open a construction office at the Dukovany site. This will enable the selection of skilled and capable dispatched personnel while promptly advancing key initial tasks of the project, including site investigations.
In the future, EDU II plans to work with KHNP on the design of the power plant, permits, and various construction preparation procedures, with a goal of commencing construction on Dukovany Unit 5 in 2029.
Hwang Joo-ho, president of KHNP, noted, "This contract is a remarkable achievement that proves once again the technological strength and reliability of the Korean nuclear industry on an international level." He continued, "KHNP will enhance the global competitiveness of the domestic nuclear ecosystem and fulfill its responsibility for future generations through safe and sustainable energy, while ensuring that cooperation with the Czech Republic bears successful fruit in the implementation of the project."