New Dukovany units gather pace, Koreans to select tower supplier

KHNP will shortly launch a tender for the supply of cooling towers for two new units at Dukovany. Training for future power plant operators is expected to begin in the autumn. This year should see the completion of the terms of reference for an archaeological survey of the site, which will precede construction, as well as the administrative building of Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II), the investor in the new nuclear source. Preparations for construction of the units, one year after the contract was signed with South Korea's KHNP, which will build them, are proceeding according to schedule. EDU II spokeswoman Alice Horáková told ČTK today.

The current preparatory phase of the project primarily includes drawing up design and licensing documentation, obtaining all permits and securing the infrastructure needed to begin construction. This is planned for 2029.

"Over the past 12 months, we have, among other things, completed comprehensive geotechnical surveys at the site and prepared the first phase of design documentation. Specialist staff training has begun, and we are working intensively on the licensing and permitting documentation," said EDU II CEO Petr Závodský.

KHNP submitted the first stage of design documentation, the conceptual design, this April. It describes the overall solution for the power plant.

Members of Team Korea, in coordination with municipalities, have begun mapping accommodation options in the region. At the peak overlap of works, approximately 10.000 workers will be present at the construction site for the two units, EDU II said. Preparations for transport infrastructure are continuing, particularly along the route for transporting oversized and heavy components.

The second half of this year will also bring several significant milestones, the company said. Czech companies could play a significant role in the contract concerning the cooling towers. It involves technology combining wet and dry cooling to minimise water withdrawals for cooling the power plant, the spokeswoman said. By the end of the year, the first tenders for KHNP subcontracting in auxiliary materials and equipment should also be announced.

Some Czech companies have already secured contracts, EDU II noted. ČEZ Energetické projekty carried out geotechnical surveys; Doosan Škoda Power of Plzeň has a contract to supply and manufacture turbine generators; Energoprojekt Praha will provide specialist consulting services for licensing and safety analyses and will participate in preparing design documentation. KHNP has launched a registration system for potential suppliers and a partnership programme for Czech and Korean suppliers.

Training for future power plant operators, which will last several years, is expected to begin in the autumn. The new administrative building next to the Dukovany power plant will provide EDU II with a local base for project management. One of its six floors will be for KHNP staff. EDU II employed 267 people at the end of May.