28. 06. 2024
7 min read
Countdown to Decision: Dukovany NPP Expansion
Update on the Czech nuclear expansion, FEB 8- JUN 14, 2024
Many European countries have been reevaluating their energy policies, taking into consideration geopolitical issues, in the wake of the major disruption to energy supplies. As one way to ensure steady power supplies, 11 European governments established a “Nuclear alliance” in Feb 2023 to promote nuclear energy as a green option. On the other hand, opposition to atomic energy perseveres and some EU countries view nuclear power disapprovingly (and are in the process of decommissioning their nuclear power capacity).
(by volume of reporting)
The EU’s commitment to climate neutrality includes nuclear power as one of the recognized low-carbon energy sources. As one of the 11 countries supporting it, the Czech Republic plans to add up to four new reactors to the six existing ones operated by the majority-state-owned CEZ company. Czechia has pursued its plan to expand its nuclear capacity and the bid for the expansion of the Dukovany NPP, announced in March 2022, is moving towards its final phase, with the winner to be announced in July this year. The ongoing tender has two bidders, the French EDF and the Korean KHNP, after Westinghouse was dropped from the bid.
Let’s have a look at the media coverage of the latest development since February 8, 2024.
| Number no. | Count | Date | Title | Language | Content |
| 1 | 146 | FEB 13 | Czech Republic accelerates expansion of nuclear power | 🇩🇪 / 🇦🇹 | German and Austrian press commented on Fiala’s government support for nuclear power, stating the public’s support. They pointed out the vicinity of the NPPs to their borders and the insecure financing and profitability of the project. |
| 2 | 73 | MAR 6 | Nuclear: In Prague, Macron defends EDF against non-European competition | 🇬🇧 | The French PM lobbied at a Franco-Czech Energy Forum in Prague on Tuesday (MAR 5) for the EDF bid, stressing the nuclear alliance within the EU. |
| 3 | 68 | MAY 3 | The biggest contract in the Czech Republic can also be the biggest problem | 🇨🇿 | A critical piece pointing to three critical issues of the project: a failure to deliver on the side of the govt/ investor, the same happening to the contractor and a future shift in the energy production mix. And the lack of an updated State Energy Strategy. The author calls for the most economic offer, putting aside geopolitical aspects. |
| 4 | 64 | MAR 5 | Ukraine: Macron “takes responsibility” for shaking up Westerners and warns against “the spirit of defeat” | 🇫🇷 | On his visit to Prague, Macron urged Ukraine’s allies “not be cowardly” in the face of an “unstoppable” Russia. On the economic level, he pushed for the candidacy of EDF for the future Czech nuclear program, praising a “100% European offer” which could create the basis for “a nuclear Airbus”. |
| 5 | 60 | MAR 30 | Both EDF and KHNP submitted bids for the construction of up to four nuclear units | 🇨🇿 | The two bidders, EDF and KHNP, submitted bids for the construction of up to four nuclear units. |
| 6 | 48 | MAR 5 | Macron discusses new ways to help Ukraine on Prague visit | 🇬🇧 | The Czech nuclear project received most global coverage on the occasion of the French president’s visit to Prague. The CEZ group signed a contract with Orano for the nuclear fuel supplies to Dukovany, replacing Russia’s TVEL. |
| 7 | 40 | JUN 16 | Doosan Chairman Park Jeong-won hosted Partnership Day | 🇰🇷 | Doosan Group Chairman hosted a ‘Doosan Partnership Day’, a Prague event to support the nuclear bid. Korean and Czech government and corporate officials attended. |
| 8 | 32 | FEB 16 | Czech President signs nuclear waste disposal law | 🇩🇪 / 🇦🇹 | The law stipulates that the government alone can decide on the final location for the repository – without having to obtain the approval of parliament again. Four locations are currently on the shortlist, all of which are no more than 200 kilometers from the borders with Bavaria and Austria. |
| 9 | 28 | FEB 14 | The Dukovany nuclear power plant will switch to Westinghouse fuel from this fall | 🇨🇿 | The Dukovany NPP will start using the fuel starting this fall. A few months later, Westinghouse will also start supplying fuel to the Temelín NPP. According to ČEZ representatives, the diversification of fuel supplies is one of the important steps for further strengthening the energy security of the Czech Republic. |
| 10 | 28 | JUN 24 | The government has evaluated the offers for Dukovany. Winners will be announced in July | 🇨🇿 | Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II), a ČEZ subsidiary, submitted an evaluation report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, evaluating the two bids. The experts focused on both the commercial and technical aspects of the submitted bids. |
| 11 | 27 | APR 30 | Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power submits final bid for new nuclear power plant project in Czech Republic | 🇰🇷 | KHNP President Hwang Joo-ho visited the ordering company on APR29 and stressed the highest level capabilities, proven through the new nuclear power plant projects in Korea and the UAE. |
| 12 | 21 | MAR 25 | The Brno thermal power plant and the Dukovany power plant are to be connected by a forty-kilometer hot pipe | 🇨🇿 | ČEZ and Teplárny Brno signed an implementation contract for the heat pipe from the power plant. The operation is scheduled to start in the 2030/2031 heating season. |
| 13 | 17 | APR 4 | Minister Síkela: The deadline for submitting a binding offer for up to four nuclear blocks will be extended by two weeks | 🇨🇿 | The extension was requested by EDF, and the deadline is APR 30, 2024. The overall project schedule remains unchanged. |
| 14 | 16 | APR 30 | New Nuclear Construction in Czech Republic: Approval for Fifth Block at Dukovany NPP | 🇨🇿 | Approved by the European Commission, it only applies to the construction of the fifth block in Dukovany NPP. |
| 15 | 15 | MAR 15 | Orano Signs Dukovany Contract With Czech Republic’s ČEZ | 🇨🇿 | French nuclear fuel cycle company Orano signed a contract with ČEZ for the supply of uranium enrichment services for Dukovany NPP. |
The long-awaited decision on the winning bidder for the Dukovany NPP expansion, the largest investment in the modern Czech Republic’s history, has been made by a team of 180 experts. The bid evaluation model was based on recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The evaluation report was submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Czech Government will now issue its statement as to with whom ČEZ will negotiate the final form of the contracts. The official announcement of the bid winner should be made in July this year.
| Date | Event |
| MAR 17, 2022 | ČEZ announced a tender for the completion of one unit in Dukovany with a non-binding option for up to three additional units. |
NOV 30, 2022 | ČEZ received the first offers from KHNP, EDF and Westinghouse. |
| OCT 31, 2023 | Tender participants submitted final offers. |
| JAN 31, 2024 | ČEZ CEO informed the government of the evaluation of the tender, the decision on the binding offer for up to four nuclear units from EDF and KHNP. |
| JUN 14, 2024 | CEZ notified the Ministry of Industry and Trade of its preferred supplier. |
| JUL, 2024 | The government will consider the evaluation and proposal of the preferred supplier. |
| MAR, 2025 | Signing of the contract with the tender winner. |
| 2029 | Construction starts. |
| 2036 | Putting the unit in trial operation. |
Our latest analysis on the Dukovany NPP expansion highlights the critical media coverage and geopolitical implications, ensuring our clients stay informed on the forefront of nuclear power developments. Stay tuned with Semantic Visions for expert analysis on pivotal energy sector shifts.
