Czech Government Selects KHNP as Preferred Negotiation Partner
"A Major Achievement 15 Years After Baraka Nuclear Plant Contract"
"Yoon's Nuclear Sales Diplomacy and Comprehensive Support"
Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy Office at the Presidential Office, is briefing on the selection of the preferred bidder for the new nuclear power plant construction project in the Czech Republic on the afternoon of the 17th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 17th commented on Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) being selected as the preferred negotiator for the new nuclear power plant construction project in the Czech Republic, saying, "The world’s best nuclear power industry competitiveness of the Republic of Korea has once again been recognized in the global market," and urged, "Please do your best for the final contract with the spirit of Team Korea."
President Yoon made these remarks immediately after the Czech government’s announcement of the results, expressing deep gratitude to the businesspeople, nuclear power sector workers, government officials, and the citizens who supported with one heart as Team Korea, according to a briefing by Sung Tae-yoon, the Policy Chief of the Presidential Office.
Chief Sung explained, "KHNP was selected as the preferred negotiator for the construction of two Dukovany nuclear reactors, and if the Czech government later decides to build two Temelin reactors, KHNP will also be the preferred negotiator," adding, "This is a great achievement 15 years after winning the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant project in 2009, establishing a foothold for exporting our nuclear power plants to Europe, the birthplace of commercial nuclear reactors."
He continued, "The Czech government stated that KHNP’s bid was excellent in all evaluation criteria," and explained, "The total expected project cost is 24 trillion won, and the contract amount will be finalized through future negotiations."
He also expressed gratitude to the Czech government for choosing Korea’s hand in the largest investment project in Czech history.
Chief Sung emphasized that since President Yoon’s inauguration, starting with the summit with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala held in Spain in June 2022, he has conducted sales diplomacy for Korean nuclear power at every opportunity, including the United Nations General Assembly and NATO summits.
He added, "Just last week, President Yoon held a summit with Czech President Petr Pavel in Washington D.C., and sent a letter to Prime Minister Fiala, once again emphasizing the excellence of our companies and the vision of bilateral cooperation in building nuclear power plants together."
A view of Dukovany, the planned site for a new nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic. [Image source=Yonhap News]
A senior official from the Presidential Office explained the background for being able to beat France, the competitor, saying, "There was all-out government-wide support for winning the order," and added, "High-level exchanges took place, including visits to the Czech Republic by the Prime Minister and ministers of Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and support was provided in areas such as nuclear power financing, industrial cooperation, and regulatory cooperation."
He continued, "(Korea) has secured the world’s lowest construction costs, top-level safety, and technological capabilities, and has already successfully carried out the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant project," adding, "The ongoing cooperation with Korean companies operating in the Czech Republic also served as exemplary cases."
The official explained regarding the initially reported project scale of 30 trillion won being announced as 24 trillion won, "This announcement confirms the construction of two reactors, and the remaining two reactors will be decided later," adding that if all four reactors are ordered, the amount will be much larger.
He also emphasized, "The nuclear power ecosystem, which had difficulties during the phase-out period, is showing clear improvement recently due to various government supports," and said, "By winning such a large-scale nuclear power project, the overall workload will expand, the domestic nuclear power ecosystem will be fully normalized, and this can be a stepping stone to leap forward as a nuclear power powerhouse."
The Czech government held a cabinet meeting on the 17th (local time) and selected KHNP as the preferred negotiator for the new nuclear power plant construction project.
The Czech Republic plans to build up to four additional reactors of 1,200 MW or less at the existing Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants, and in April, it received final bids from KHNP and ?lectricit? de France (EDF).
KHNP has been working hard to win the order by forming 'Team Korea' with domestic companies such as KEPCO Engineering & Construction, Korea Nuclear Fuel, KEPCO KPS, Doosan Enerbility, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction.
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