Czech Government Evaluates EDF and KHNP Bids for New Nuclear Plant

ČEZ, the Czech state-owned energy company, has submitted its evaluation of the bids received from France’s EDF and South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for the construction of a new nuclear power plant at Dukovany.

The evaluation includes a recommendation for a preferred supplier, though the choice remains confidential.

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Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, confirmed the receipt of the evaluation report and stated that the government will assess it from a national security perspective.

The preferred bidder will be announced in July, along with plans for utilizing the option for additional nuclear units at Dukovany and Temelín.

The evaluation followed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s recommendations, focusing on the price per megawatt-hour generated by each contender’s new unit.

The aim is to finalize the contracts this year and sign them by the end of March 2025. ČEZ has indicated that the door remains open for the non-selected bidder if significant discrepancies arise during contract negotiations.

Last month, the European Commission approved the Czech Republic’s proposed public support package for new nuclear energy.

The package includes direct price support through a power purchasing contract, a subsidized state loan, and a protection mechanism against unforeseen events.

The Czech Republic currently generates about one-third of its electricity from four VVER-440 units at Dukovany and two VVER-1000 units at Temelín.

The ongoing tender for new nuclear was initially for one new unit at Dukovany, with non-binding offers for up to three more.

However, in February, the government changed the tender to binding offers for up to four new units, aiming for cost savings.

EDF is proposing its EPR1200 reactor, while KHNP is proposing its APR1000. Both companies have emphasized their commitment to localizing work by collaborating with Czech suppliers if selected. The target for test operation of the first new unit is 2036.

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