Current Czech government to decide on at least two new nuclear units, Síkela says

The current government will decide to build at least two new nuclear units in Czechia, Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela (STAN) is convinced. He told the Právo daily that the bids show it is right to build two or four units.

„I am firmly convinced, and everything is pointing towards this government signing contracts for at least two reactors,“ he told the newspaper.

Czechia is currently preparing to build nuclear reactors. A tender was initially launched for the construction of one unit at Dukovany, with bids submitted by EDF, KHNP and Westinghouse. The bids also included non-binding options for additional reactors. After analysing the bids, the government invited EDF and KHNP in January this year to submit binding offers to build up to four new reactors at Dukovany and Temelín. The companies have until mid-April. Westinghouse is no longer participating in the competition. The contract with the selected supplier is expected to be signed at the turn of 2024 and 2025, and the first reactor is expected to start operating in 2036.