Westinghouse, EDF and KHNP submit final Czech bids

31 October 2023

ČEZ subsidiary Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II) has received final bids from the three potential suppliers for a new nuclear unit at Dukovany, as well as non-binding offers for three more future reactors.

(Image: ČEZ)

The bids, from US-Canadian Westinghouse, France's EDF and South Korea's KHNP, were submitted electronically ahead of the deadline of 11.00am local time on 31 October.

What happens now?

EDU II will evaluate the bids from an economic, commercial and technical point of view using a model based on International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations. Its report will then be submitted to the Czech government "early next year" with the intention of having the contracts finalised within the next year.

The new unit will be built next to the existing Dukovany nuclear power plant, with the goal of construction commencing in 2029 and it being ready for trial operation in 2036.

Tomáš Pleskač, member of the Board of Directors and Director of ČEZ's New Energy Division, said: "We are happy to confirm the strong interest of all three bidders in constructing a new nuclear power plant in Czechia. We have seen careful preparation by all bidders since the tender was launched in March last year. Now we will evaluate the bids and, according to the contract with the state, we will submit the evaluation report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and then to the Czech government for final approval."

Here are more details of the three bids:

EDF

The French company is proposing a generation III+ EPR1200 reactor at the site, and says it "proposes to be the single source of supply and integration of the EPR1200 technology and its project execution, whilst relying on the know-how and industrial prowess of its subsidiary Framatome to supply the engineering studies and equipment for the nuclear steam supply system and, Instrumentation & Control and on its historical and trusted partners: GE Steam Power for the supply of the engineering studies and equipment of the conventional island, which is to be equipped with the French Arabelle 1000 steam turbine; and Bouygues Travaux Publics for its proven performance in nuclear new build civil works activities." It says it is undertaking in-depth work to identify Czech companies that could be selected as suppliers for the project, with nearly 300 identified so far and 90 involved in EDF's prequalification process.

Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of the EDF Group, said: "EDF is deeply focused on mobilising its efforts to be selected as preferred partner for Dukovany 5 and the further expansion of ČEZ’s nuclear fleet with its European EPR1200 technology. As the only vendor and builder of third generation nuclear technology in Europe, we believe that the long-term strategic partnership we are proposing will set a precedent for our continent and serve as the backbone for a more resilient and independent European nuclear industry. By joining the European EPR community, the Czech Republic will benefit from a massive fleet effect and create many industrial synergies between our current and future nuclear programmes in France, the UK and beyond. I am convinced that the partnership between ČEZ and EDF will further underscore our shared role as two leading European nuclear operators committed to supporting Europe's energy independence and achieving net-zero in Europe."

Westinghouse

The US-Canadian company is proposing an AP1000 reactor, which it calls the only operating generation III+ reactor with passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. Its construction partner is Bechtel and says that it has "deep ties" to the Czech nuclear industry dating back to the 1993 supply of advanced Instrumentation & Control systems to the country's Temelin plant "creating a local supplier network that continues to grow" and from next year it will supply nuclear fuel to both Czech nuclear plants. It says that as well as its strategy of utilising local supply chains, increasing opportunities for Czech businesses to participate in the new nuclear project for the deployment of AP1000 technology in Poland and Bulgaria "creates additional share for suppliers to contribute to projects throughout central and eastern Europe".

David Durham, Energy Systems President, Westinghouse, said: "Westinghouse first partnered with the Czech Republic on nuclear energy three decades ago and we are proud and excited to be able to further honour that commitment by providing safe, reliable nuclear energy from our proven AP1000 technology. Together we can lay the foundation for a clean, secure energy future that extends for the next 80 years of operation, and beyond."

US Ambassador to the Czech Republic Bijan Sabet said: "From a strategic energy security perspective, selecting a US technology would provide the Czech Republic with a reliable source of clean energy that not only will combat climate change and reduce emissions, but will be an investment in the Czech people, creating thousands of green jobs across the nuclear supply chain. We hope the Czech Republic partners with Westinghouse/Bechtel for their proven and advanced AP1000 technology, which has been designed, licensed, built, and is operating in other parts of the world."

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power

South Korea's KHNP is proposing its III+ generation APR1000 pressurised water reactor. According to the ČEZ project information website, it was developed based on OPR1000 reactors that are already in operation and incorporating safety features of the APR1400, which are in operation in South Korea and the UAE, and its European version the EU-APR, which received European Utility Requirements (EUR) certification in 2017. The APR1000 received EUR certification in March. Last month KHNP invited representatives of the Czech Power Industry Alliance to Korea to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the new nuclear project.

Speaking at the time, Insik Park, Executive Vice President of the Overseas Business Division at KHNP, said: "The nuclear power industries of both countries will closely cooperate to ensure the success of the Czech new build project by exceeding the standards for all areas from safety to economics, construction schedule, etc."

Nuclear Power in the Czech Republic

Four VVER-440 units are currently in operation at the Dukovany site, which began operating between 1985 and 1987. Two VVER-1000 units are in operation at Temelín, which came into operation in 2000 and 2002. Past Czech energy policy has proposed two new units at each of the two existing sites. There are also developing plans for small modular reactors in the country in an area near the existing Temelín plant. The Czech Republic gets about 34% of its electricity from its nuclear power plants. A zoning permit for up to two new nuclear units at Dukovany was issued on Monday by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News