Plzeň-based Škoda JS wants to deploy as much of its capacity as possible in completing the Czech Dukovany nuclear plant

Plzeň-based Škoda JS, a manufacturer and supplier of equipment for the nuclear power industry, wants to involve as much of its manufacturing, engineering and service capacity as possible in the completion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant by South Korea’s KHNP. It prepared bids for the supply of specific equipment for both tender bidders. It also has ambitions in the assembly and commissioning of individual plant systems, assembly coordination and design work. The company wants to play a role in the largest and most expensive contract in the history of the modern Czech Republic that is just as significant as the one it has, for example, in the current completion of the Mochovce nuclear power plant, Škoda JS Chairman and CEO František Krček told the Czech News Agency today.

Another Plzeň-based company, Doosan Škoda Power, said it would supply the turbine for the two new units at Dukovany. Doosan Škoda Power Chief Operating Officer Daniel Procházka told the Czech News Agency this afternoon.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) announced today that the Korean company would build new nuclear units at Dukovany. For now, the plan is for two reactors, but the government will also negotiate an option with the winner to build two more units at Temelín. At current prices, the cost of one reactor as part of a two-unit construction project is 200 billion crowns. The cabinet chose the Korean company over France’s EDF.

„We were in regular contact with both bidders for this contract, EDF and KHNP, and discussed a wide range of potential supplies with them before the tender results were announced,“ Krček said.

Since the bids were subject to confidentiality agreements, the Plzeň-based company cannot yet provide further details. „We will now discuss the specific scope of our supplies and activities, including their financial value, with the selected preferred bidder, Korea’s KHNP. We would also like to seek a future expansion of Škoda JS’s role to include its know-how in the future maintenance of the new units, as we have many years of experience and strong references in this area, as well as the supply of spare parts,“ Krček said. Among other projects, the company is currently involved in the construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Britain, is completing the fourth unit at Slovakia’s Mochovce nuclear power plant, and supplies its equipment or provides services to a number of other nuclear power plants, not only in Europe.

Doosan Škoda Power welcomed KHNP’s tender victory. „This means that we at Doosan Škoda Power will supply the turbine for the two new units at Dukovany. We are proud to be able to contribute to the Czech energy sector’s future. This is a decade-long project; manufacturing the turbine itself takes about two years and is preceded by design and engineering work, supplier selection and other preparatory activities. We also offer the option of servicing the equipment for up to 70 years,“ Procházka said. He did not disclose the value of the contract. According to him, Doosan Škoda Power, together with its parent company, is ready to supply not only the turbines but also other equipment for the turbine hall, alongside other partners, within the required timeframe. „We are pleased that the Czech state made this decision based on clear criteria. We want to repay the company’s trust in us to work on this prestigious contract by investing in the development of technical education and transferring new technologies for green energy production, such as electricity generators and hydrogen or gas turbines,“ Procházka added.

„A great deal of experience that can be applied to future maintenance can be gained during the construction of the new units. That is one reason why the scope and significance of the contracts awarded to Czech companies will be important not only for Škoda JS, but also for Czech industry as a whole,“ Krček added.

Another company from the Plzeň Region mentioned by KHNP is the smaller firm INFER. According to its website, it focuses on supplying piping systems and components, technological units, valves and metallurgical materials. It specialises in supplies to the energy, petrochemical, refinery, water management and automotive sectors. „Our company was part of a delegation of experts and representatives of Czech companies that took part in a five-day visit to South Korea at the invitation of KHNP and KEPCO KPS,“ the company said last week on its Facebook profile. Its representatives visited a KHNP nuclear power plant, among other sites, and learned about the technology and maintenance of Korean nuclear power plants. „This experience gave us deeper insight into Korean practices and technologies, which is key to our future cooperation. We look forward to further cooperation and developing our mutual relations with KHNP and KEPCO KPS,“ the company added.

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