Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is making the final negotiations ahead of the main contract signing for the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic this March. As the contract reaches its final stage, Team Korea is intensifying efforts to attract local corporations and workforce participation in the nuclear power construction.
On the 25th (local time), the "Czech-Korea Nuclear Industry Conference" was held in Prague, Czech Republic, co-hosted by the Korea Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF) and the Czech Power Industry Association. KHNP President Hwang Joo-ho, along with representatives from Korea Electric Power Corporation, Doosan Enerbility, Daewoo E&C, and others from the industry attended. Local construction companies and nuclear power component corporations also participated.
During the event, KHNP decided to share the localization strategy for the Dukovany project to encourage local corporate participation. President Hwang noted that he would strive for local corporations to secure 60% of the project costs for the Czech nuclear power construction. The target localization rate of 60% will be confirmed when the final contract is signed in March. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also expressed expectations regarding the localization rate.
The estimated project cost for the two new nuclear power plants is about 24 trillion won, with Doosan Enerbility's Czech subsidiary, Doosan Skoda Power, supplying crucial components such as turbines, significantly contributing to the localization rate. Team Korea has contacted over 200 local corporations and is reported to have signed memorandums of understanding with more than 50 firms. There are also concerns in the region about the possibility of a lower localization rate.
KHNP intends to select suppliers based on long-term cooperation, quality approval, and certification processes. A KHNP official said, "We will work hard to successfully implement the Czech project in cooperation with capable corporations from our country and the Czech Republic."
The Dukovany new nuclear power project consists of four units with a capacity of 1000 megawatts each (two units each at Dukovany and Temelin). Team Korea holds the right of first negotiation for the four units. Once the contract for the Dukovany nuclear power project is finalized, there is a high likelihood of securing additional contracts for future nuclear power plants in Temelin.