Commentary: Outcome of the tender for new nuclear units in Czechia

The Czech government has decided in recent days on the outcome of the tender for the construction of new nuclear units in the Czech Republic. The winner was South Korean company KHNP with its APR1000 reactor. At the same time, the government decided to build two units at Dukovany, with the contract also including an option for two units at Temelín. A decision on exercising the option will be made over the next five years.

In my view, this is the best possible outcome. It was not so much about whether a particular bidder would win. Both reactors on offer are high-quality Generation III reactors in technical, safety and operational terms, and fully meet all the tender conditions. Both bids have their advantages and drawbacks. The companies bidding in the tender are also of high quality. Let us recall that the South Korean company offers the APR1000 reactor, while French company EDF offers the EPR1200 reactor. In both cases, these are state-owned companies with extensive, long-term experience in both building and operating nuclear units.