More than 60 Czech firms meet requirements for Dukovany, KHNP to launch first tender in November

More than 60 Czech firms have so far met Korean company KHNP's qualification requirements for potential suppliers for the construction of new nuclear units at Dukovany. The companies will therefore be able to apply for the upcoming tenders. The Koreans plan to launch the first tender in November this year, specifically for contracts to supply auxiliary equipment and materials. KHNP executive vice president for business development and management Che Il-kyong told journalists at today's seminar for potential suppliers. KHNP has previously declared a target of involving Czech companies at a level of around 60 percent.

KHNP is now preparing the construction of two new nuclear units at Dukovany. At last year's prices, the cost of building them is CZK 407 billion for both units. The first of the new reactors at Dukovany is expected to be completed in 2036.

According to the Koreans, preparations for the entire project are proceeding according to schedule. Geological surveys of the site were carried out in previous months. Documentation for the building permit application, among other things, is now being prepared. According to the KHNP vice president, it should be submitted in April next year.

At the same time, the Koreans are also preparing the first tenders for suppliers. As part of this, they held a seminar in Prague today, where they presented interested parties with the detailed schedule and process of the upcoming competitions for the supply of auxiliary equipment and materials (AE&M). KHNP presented, for example, the K-PRO electronic procurement system, a supplier quality management plan, contractual terms and technical evaluation criteria. The programme also includes B2B consultations focused on technical and quality issues.

"Today's event represents an important milestone in preparing potential suppliers in the AE&M area for the upcoming tender. In particular, it enables them to better understand when and exactly how they can get involved. The technology and experience of leading Czech companies will play an important role in the successful implementation of the new reactors," Che Il-kyong said.

According to Petr Závodský, CEO of the project investor, state-owned Elektrárna Dukovany II, Czech companies will have a strong chance of succeeding thanks to their many years of experience. "A nuclear project naturally requires the very highest quality from suppliers, but I am convinced that a number of local companies have all the prerequisites to succeed," Závodský noted.

One company that has already met the technical and quality qualification requirements is Sigma, a manufacturer of industrial pumps and pumping units for the nuclear power industry. "We are pleased that we have managed to convince our partners of our capabilities. We are preparing intensively and conscientiously for the project, including launching international ASME certification, so that we can be a quality supplier for KHNP," said Luboš Michlík, CEO of Sigma Group.

Other participants in today's event included representatives of ABB, ABO valve, Bilfinger Czech Republic, dataPartner, Škoda JS, IBC Praha and Nuvia.