Czech firms’ share in Dukovany is 20 percent, says Havlíček

Czech subcontractors currently account for around 20 percent of the project to complete two units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant, which was awarded to South Korean company KHNP. Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček (ANO) told ČTK today. Together with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO), he visited Škoda JS in Plzeň, a leading European manufacturer and supplier of equipment for nuclear power.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), together with industry associations, will negotiate the highest possible share of subcontracting for Czech companies. The first new Dukovany unit is expected to be completed in 2036, with the second following a year later. The contract is worth more than CZK 400 billion.

According to Havlíček’s predecessor, Lukáš Vlček (STAN), the contracts concluded last year secured a roughly 30 percent share for Czech suppliers. The current government has repeatedly questioned this figure.

For example, Havlíček said in February that Czech industry should account for a total of 60 percent of the project. Today, he said that whether the share of Czech subcontracting would be 50 or 60 percent was not the most important issue. "What matters to us is what kind of product it will be. If it is merely resold with a low margin, then it is not of much interest to us. But if it is a product manufactured here, ideally developed here, that has added value and supports employment, then that is exactly what we need," he said.

"We currently have approximately 20 percent of Czech supplies secured. This includes Doosan Škoda Power (a Plzeň-based company owned by South Korean group Doosan), which will supply the turbine and turbine hall. Further contracts are being prepared," Havlíček said.

According to him, in addition to industry and energy associations and the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and the government’s main partners in the Dukovany project are also the Czech Construction Entrepreneurs Association and the nuclear alliance, a platform of dozens of Czech companies. "They receive information from us on an ongoing basis, but we do not assess their activities," the minister said. He added that no association of Czech companies could sign a supply contract with KHNP. "Today, we monitor every contract. We have a transparent system for this. Everything must be handled electronically, and we must guarantee that all information reaches every possible recipient at the same time," Havlíček said.

According to Škoda JS chief Karel Bednář, potential Czech suppliers for Dukovany are meeting and seeking to build a common position that supports Czech supplies. "Of course, in the end everyone must negotiate each contract individually. No alliance will sign the contract; it will be signed by a specific supplier for a specific product," he said.