Brno heating plants sign contract with firm to design pipeline from Czechia’s Dukovany plant

Teplárny Brno today signed a contract with AFRY CZ, which will prepare the project documentation and secure the permits needed to build a hot-water pipeline from Dukovany. The work is due to be completed within a year and three quarters, the heating company said in a press release. Construction of the pipeline is expected to begin in 2027, with heat from the nuclear power plant set to flow to Brno from 2031.

The contract covers the preparation of project documentation, from the initial design through to documentation for the construction permit, including all engineering work needed to obtain approval for the project. Jiří Herman, chairman of the board of Teplárny Brno, considers the signing with the designer a major milestone. "A demanding but exceptionally important stage lies ahead, bringing us closer to our goal of securing stable, environmentally friendly and safe heat from nuclear power for Brno," he said.

Three companies entered the tender for the design work, two of which met the qualification requirements. Further negotiations followed with these bidders, who then submitted their final offers. The main evaluation criterion was the lowest bid price. The heating company did not disclose the amount.

The hot-water pipeline is one of the most important strategic projects for Brno and the entire region. Its aim is to use waste heat from electricity generation at the Dukovany nuclear power plant and feed it into Brno’s district heating network. The route runs 42 kilometres from Dukovany, followed by a further 53 kilometres of pipelines within Brno’s built-up area. The project has secured CZK 10.6 billion in support from emissions allowance revenues. Total costs will be approximately CZK 18 billion.