Czech firms’ share in Dukovany expansion remains uncertain, while EDF signs actual contracts

A number of questions still surround the largest Czech contract in history: the construction of two new units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. These include financing, a possible restructuring of ČEZ, and complaints against the selection of Korean supplier KHNP by France’s EDF and US-based Westinghouse. The level of Czech industry involvement is also a major issue, with the state seeking to guarantee domestic companies at least a 60% share. However, no binding agreements have yet been concluded in this regard, and everything remains at the level of declarations, raising concerns over the planned signing of the contract with the supplier in March 2025.

Meanwhile, amid these debates, French energy giant EDF is concluding actual nuclear contracts in Czechia. First, in September, a contract was signed between EDF Group company Framatome and Plzeň-based Škoda JS for the supply of two additional sets of reactor internals for EPR reactors to be built by the French company at the UK’s Sizewell C project.

The contract continues the successful cooperation between EDF and Škoda JS, with the Plzeň company having already manufactured the same key components for EPR nuclear units in China, Finland and France, and most recently for the UK’s other Hinkley Point C project. Given that Sizewell C is intended to be virtually a copy of the two reactors at Hinkley Point C, there is also a good opportunity for other Czech companies that already supply EDF in England, such as MICo.

“EDF is fully aware of the importance of ensuring a high share for domestic companies in the construction of new nuclear units in Czechia. That is why our European offer is based precisely on cooperation with Czech companies, which could secure a 65% share of the overall contract, similar to the 64% share we achieved for British companies at Hinkley Point C,” says Roman Zdebor, director of EDF’s Czech branch.

“In addition, extensive opportunities could open up for Czech industry in other EDF projects, as we plan to build dozens of new reactors in Europe over the coming decades. The European approach we propose could bring the Czech economy up to CZK 1 trillion. Our offer for Czechia to join the European EPR fleet remains valid,” the head of EDF Czechia notes.

Modernisation at Dukovany

Another concrete example of cooperation between the Czech and French nuclear industries is a new contract between Framatome and ČEZ to modernise control and instrumentation systems at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The comprehensive modernisation programme will be carried out over several years and will allow ČEZ to operate the plant until 2045.

The third contract concluded during the autumn isa memorandum of understanding between ČEZ and Framatome on developing an independently designed fuel for Russian VVER-1000 reactors, which are in operation, for example, at Temelín. It confirms the French ambition to support the Czech strategy of diversifying nuclear fuel sources for VVER reactors independently of Russia.

This is also linked to this year’s announcement by French company Orano of a EUR 1.7 billion investment to expand its uranium enrichment capacity by 30 %. Orano’s aim is to reduce Europe’s dependence on supplies of Russian nuclear fuel. This continues the coordinated efforts of French industry to offer 100% European technologies based on a fully European supply chain.