Expectations in the domestic industry are growing ahead of the announcement of the results of the 30 trillion won Czech nuclear power plant contract. This is because the export of Czech nuclear power plants can have a positive effect on winning orders for nuclear power plant projects in other European countries. This could lead to opportunities for collaboration not only in nuclear power plants but also in other industries such as defence, hydrogen, and high-tech industries.
According to industry sources on the 25th, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Deok-geun visited the Czech Republic for the first time since taking office the previous day. Minister Ahn plans to meet key figures in the Czech government, including Industry Minister Josef Sikella and Finance Minister Zwinek Stanura, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. In particular, it is expected to focus on supporting nuclear power plants for which Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) participated in the application.
A panoramic view of the Dukovany nuclear power plant south of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. / Provided by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
The Czech Republic is investing about 30 trillion won to build four new nuclear power plants. Although the specific area has not been determined, there is speculation that two units will be built each in Dukovany and Temlin, where nuclear power plants are currently operating. As Westinghouse of the United States was eliminated for lack of qualifications, it was reduced to a two-way match between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Electric Power Corporation of France (EDF).
If we succeed in winning this order, it is expected that we will gain strength in targeting other nuclear power station markets in Europe. The nuclear phase-out policy, which has been highlighted in Europe since the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in 2011, is being phased out. Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are working to revive the nuclear power plant ecosystem.
The industry anticipates that nuclear power plant exports will act as an export bridge leading to collaboration opportunities in other areas. The government is focusing on so-called ‘package exports’ where domestic companies, such as defence, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and biotechnology, jointly target competitive markets by winning orders for nuclear power plant projects foreign.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is also planning several events in the Czech Republic to win orders. On the 12th, with the support of the Korean and Czech governments, experts from industry, academia, and research in the nuclear field of the two countries were invited to the ‘Korea-Czech Republic Nuclear Research and Development (R&D) Cooperation Symposium’. KHNP presented the APR1000 Korean nuclear power plant core simulator to the Czech Institute of Technology and presented about ‘i-SMR’, an innovative small modular reactor (SMR).
Czech Electricity Corporation (CEZ) plans to receive revised proposals from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and EDF by the end of this month. It is expected that the winner of the final order will be decided by the end of June at the earliest or mid-July at the latest. France is said to have regional advantages and experience in building various nuclear power plants in Europe, while Korea has excellent price competitiveness and technological capabilities.
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