KHNP launches tender for hybrid cooling towers for new units at Dukovany in Czechia

Korean company KHNP has launched a tender for hybrid cooling towers for new nuclear units at Dukovany. The contract covers the design, technology supply and construction of the towers. KHNP informed the Czech News Agency (CTK) about the tender today. It will be held as a restricted tender, with two consortia eligible to participate, both of which include Czech companies. KHNP previously pledged that Czech companies would take part in around 60 percent of the project.

The construction of new nuclear units in Czechia is expected to be the largest contract in the country’s history. The cost of building two reactors at Dukovany, at last year’s prices, amounts to 407 billion crowns. Preparation for construction is proceeding according to plan, the Korean company said.

The cooling towers will be among the most prominent structures and key components of the power plant. Their purpose is to remove excess heat generated during electricity production. KHNP plans to use hybrid cooling towers at Dukovany, combining dry and wet cooling in a system intended to significantly reduce raw water withdrawals.

According to Petr Závodský, CEO of the project’s investor, the state-owned company Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II), the system reduces the volume of water withdrawn for cooling to around half that of conventional towers.

"The chosen hybrid cooling technology emerged from our discussions with EDU II and our joint search for a solution that meets the project’s technical requirements while also taking into account the much-needed water savings. This will ensure that the site has sufficient water for both the existing and new power plant units, even in the event of adverse climate developments," said Harry Chang, KHNP vice president and project director.

Two suppliers will take part in the restricted tender: the MVM EGI - Metrostav consortium and the JC Hamon - Hochtief consortium. KHNP plans to hold an information meeting for potential bidders in November, where they will learn about the planned technical design for the cooling towers, the scope of the contract and the tender requirements. KHNP intends to sign a contract with the winning bidder in the first half of next year.

KHNP is also preparing other tenders for suppliers of certain components of the new units. In mid-September, the Koreans announced that more than 60 Czech companies had met the company’s qualification requirements for potential suppliers for the construction of the new nuclear units at Dukovany. The companies will therefore be able to apply for the tenders being prepared.