Vlček: Czech firms could build more than 90% of infrastructure around Dukovany

Industry and Trade Minister Lukáš Vlček (STAN) expects Czech construction companies to account for more than 90 percent of the construction of new infrastructure around the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The projects could be worth tens of billions of crowns in total. Vlček said this at today’s meeting of construction industry leaders at Prague Castle. The minister previously said that a 60-percent share for Czech companies in the construction of new units at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant would probably not be included in the contract between the semi-state-owned energy company ČEZ and South Korea’s KHNP. However, the Korean company has promised to meet the target.

“Someone has to build the motorway interchanges, bypasses, housing infrastructure, and school and cultural facilities. Our role in nuclear energy and Dukovany is not limited to ensuring that 60 percent of the companies involved in building the nuclear power plant are Czech. There are also a number of projects worth tens of billions. Czech construction companies must deliver these projects—and that is what will happen in practice,” Vlček said.

According to a study by the Ministry for Regional Development and other authorities mapping the possible social and economic impacts of completing Dukovany on the region, nearly 3000 apartments will need to be built around the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant within ten years because of the construction of the new units. At this year’s prices, they would cost around 10.8 billion crowns. Access to healthcare in the region will also need to be improved, for example.