Briefing at Government Sejong Cheongsa on the 18th
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Anduk Geun evaluated on the 18th, "This Czech nuclear power plant order has established a bridgehead for exporting nuclear power plants to Europe, the home of nuclear power plants that first constructed commercial nuclear power plants (1956, United Kingdom)."
Minister Ahn held a briefing at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day and said, "The selection of the preferred negotiator this time is a great achievement in 15 years since the 2009 order of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)."
The Czech government announced the day before that Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was selected as the preferred negotiator for the new nuclear power plant construction project. This project involves constructing up to four large nuclear power plants at the Dukovany and Temelin sites in the Czech Republic and is known as the largest investment project in Czech history. According to the Czech government, the total expected project cost is about 200 billion koruna (approximately 12 trillion won) per unit for one unit, and about 400 billion koruna (approximately 24 trillion won) for two units.
Minister Ahn said, "Team Korea is expected to supply everything from design, procurement, construction, commissioning, to nuclear fuel for the 1000 MW-class large nuclear power plant," and added, "We thank the Czech government for giving us the opportunity to participate in the largest investment project in Czech history."
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (main contractor) formed 'Team Korea' with KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company (design), Doosan Enerbility (main equipment and construction), Daewoo Engineering & Construction (construction), KEPCO Nuclear Fuel (nuclear fuel), and KEPCO KPS (commissioning and maintenance) to supply the entire nuclear power plant construction services including design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and nuclear fuel supply for the 1000 MW-class large nuclear power plant (APR1000).
Minister Ahn emphasized, "When the Czech nuclear power plant bidding started in March 2022, it was widely expected to be a competition among world-leading companies, but Team Korea never gave up," and added, "The essential technology, international trust, and industrial competitiveness in the nuclear industry were Team Korea's greatest strengths."
The government plans to put more effort into restoring the nuclear power ecosystem, which it has been focusing on, including resuming construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 and extending the operation of 10 nuclear power plants, taking this order as an opportunity.
Minister Ahn said, "With the selection of the preferred negotiator, we have crossed the final hurdle for nuclear power plant exports, but successful contract negotiations between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the ordering party must be completed for the final contract to be signed around March next year," and added, "We will do our best until the contract negotiations are completed to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome for both Korea and the Czech Republic."
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