Behind the Scenes of the Nuclear Power Plant Contract Battle
On the 17th, the Czech Republic finally selected South Korea as the preferred negotiation partner for two new nuclear reactors worth 24 trillion won, bringing an end to the fierce seven-month bidding war with France. Doosan Enerbility, a member of Team Korea, has been engaged in a meticulous all-out effort behind the scenes since the two-way competition began in January this year until the final selection.
Two months before the announcement of the preferred negotiation partner for the Czech nuclear project, on May 5th, Park Jung-won, chairman of the Doosan Group, flew to the Czech Republic. Upon arrival, he busily moved around, checking the final situation to directly promote Korea's nuclear technology and strengths.
At 2 p.m. on May 13th, at Zofin Palace in Prague, Czech Republic, government officials including former Prime Minister Jan Fischer and Deputy Minister of Industry Petr T?e???k, as well as local financial institutions and nuclear industry figures, began gathering one by one. They were attending the Czech nuclear project support event hosted by Chairman Park.
Zofin Palace is considered a representative architectural symbol of Czech history and cultural heritage. It was built in 1837 on Slavonic Island in the Vltava River that runs through Prague. The name Zofin comes from Princess Sophie, the mother of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of the Austrian Empire. This venue hosts daily performances, conferences, and gala dinners, making it beloved by Czechs. This also means that booking the venue is not easy. Doosan reportedly waited several months to secure this location for the event.
On May 13th, at the Jozefin Palace in Prague, Czech Republic, the 'Doosan Partnership Day' was held, attended by over 300 people including former Prime Minister Jan Fischer, Petr T?e???k, Deputy Minister of Industry, other Czech government officials, and representatives from local financial institutions and the nuclear power industry. [Photo by Doosan Group]
The event was fully managed by Doosan Skoda Power, Doosan Enerbility’s Czech subsidiary. They handled everything from booking the venue to selecting the dinner menu, working actively on the ground. Doosan Skoda Power is a local company acquired by Doosan Enerbility in 2009 for 800 billion won and is regarded as a national company in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1869, the company has a history of over 150 years, established 30 years earlier than Doosan Group, Korea’s longest-standing company.
At the time, it is reported that Doosan Enerbility Vice Chairman Jung Yeon-in and Doosan Bobcat’s Scott Park paid close attention not only to the official presentation but also to the standing dinner. The main dishes were bulgogi and japchae, chosen as Korean dishes that appeal to foreign tastes without causing much division in preference.
Doosan Group decided that Doosan Enerbility would supply primary system key equipment such as reactors and steam generators, while Doosan Skoda Power would supply secondary system key equipment such as steam turbines, thereby strengthening the partnership between Korea and the Czech Republic.
An industry insider said, "Looking back now, choosing a historic place beloved by Czechs for the presentation seems to have been a great help," adding, "Having Doosan Skoda Power, a local Czech company, was also seen as a differentiating point in the competition against France."
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