Published:20.12.2024
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Dukovany expansion highlights Czech industrial strength

The Czech nuclear industry is the second most successful in Europe after France and it is expanding.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), as the winning bidder of the new units of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, presented to the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Lukáš Vlček and members of the Economic Committee of the Chamber of Deputies an initial plan for the involvement of Czech companies in the completion of the work.

The Czech nuclear industry is the second most successful in Europe after France. According to an analysis prepared for the Ministry, it was noted that it has the competence and know-how to participate in the completion of the planned units at the Dukovany NPP from 65 per cent of the contract volume.

The Czech nuclear industry could thus significantly replace the shortfall of financial resources from the subdued automotive industry in the volume of funds directed to the state budget in the coming years,” said Róbert Teleky, chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic.

According to Alois Míka, who represents KHNP in the Czech Republic, the first tenders needed to complete the design, including consulting and other services, will be offered in the middle of next year at the earliest. The design of the project will then be completed between 2025 and 2027 when KHNP will start issuing tenders for subcontractors. He also stated that the final percentage of the Czech industry’s involvement will be counted at the end of the year 2039.

However, Jan Rafaj, President of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, raised some concerns. “I often hear that the completion of new nuclear units is the tender of the century in terms of investment. For me, it is also the project of the century in terms of the involvement of the Czech industry,” he said. “I am concerned that the participation of Czech companies will not be addressed in the contract that CEZ and the preferred contractor are going to sign in March next year. There are mechanisms that allow us to address Czech interests already in the EPC contract.

Delivered by CzechTrade team Canada.
Source: CEEnergy News
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