In contrast to European Union neighbors Germany and Austria, the Czech Republic has taken numerous steps to affirm its commitment to nuclear energy as a carbon-free power source.
State-controlled power company CEZ disclosed recently that it is in the final stages of assessing bids for a multi-billion-dollar contract aimed at constructing a new nuclear unit at Dukovany, with trial operations currently slated for 2036. The winner of the lucrative contract would also retain an option to build three more nuclear reactors in the country.
The new unit is expected to supplement Dukovany’s existing four 510-megawatt reactors, which were originally built in 1980s.
Last year, the Czech government eliminated Russia’s Rosatom and China’s CNG from the tender process due to security concerns. However, invitations to bid on the tender were extended to France’s EDF, South Korea’s KHNP, and Westinghouse Electric, with final contracts planned to be awarded before November 2024.
US Ambassador to the Czech Republic Bijan Sabet stated: “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.”
Additionally, CEZ entered into a separate agreement with U.S. energy company Westinghouse Electric to supply nuclear fuel for both the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear sites, beginning in 2024.
