The Czech Republic’s Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček said: “We pushed through the Dukovany project during our previous government and at the same time we approved the timetable. We still adhere to it … as well as the budget. That is why Minister Kim (Jung-Kwan Kim) and I have established a ministerial steering committee and we will continuously monitor the progress of preparation and construction.
“Equally important is the strong involvement of Czech companies. I therefore welcome the conclusion of direct contracts for the turbine and for support for permitting and licensing. I will continue to consistently advocate for Czech companies to have equal conditions and the highest possible share in the project and subsequent investments, which will bring jobs and other opportunities for domestic business.”
South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, Jung-Kwan Kim, said: “The Republic of Korea considers the Dukovany project a strategic partnership with the Czech Republic. We want to ensure effective cooperation between our governments and industry and a smooth implementation of the project.”
The Czech supplier contracts
The contracts include one for Energoprojekt Praha, part of the ÚJV Group, to support the permitting and licensing processes, and one between Doosan Enerbility and Plzeň-based Doosan Škoda Power for the supply of the turbine.
Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) Executive Vice President for Overseas Projects Park In-sik said: “The fact that the contract for the delivery of the turbine, which is the heart of the power plant, was signed today is not only great news, but also proof that the project is running according to plan.”
There are currently about 160 companies in the registration process to become suppliers for the construction of the two units at Dukovany.
Daniel Procházka, CEO of Doosan Škoda Power, said: “We greatly appreciate KHNP’s decision that the production of electricity in the two new units of the Dukovany nuclear power plant will be ensured by turbines designed by Czech engineers and manufactured at our Plzeň plant. This is not only a sign of confidence in our cutting-edge technology, but also an important factor for the future safe operation and service of the turbines for the decades of the power plant’s lifetime.”
Seung-Woo Sohn, Executive Vice President of Doosan Enerbility, said: “Doosan Enerbility, together with Doosan Škoda Power, which is world-renowned for its top-notch production and comprehensive technical project management, are dedicating all their potential to the successful completion of this project. We are fully committed to providing all the necessary support and being a long-term and reliable partner of the Czech Republic.”
Martin Ruščák, General Director of ÚJV Řež, said: “Today’s signing is an important start to the cooperation between Energoprojekt Praha from the UJV Group and KHNP. Our many years of experience in the field of design and permitting processes are valuable to the Korean side, which are essential in preparing the EDU II power plant to be carried out in accordance with Czech legislation and current knowledge of best international practice.”
Background
The Czech Republic currently gets about one-third of its electricity from the four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, which began operating between 1985 and 1987, and the two VVER-1000 units in operation at Temelín, which came into operation in 2000 and 2002.
The Czech government selected KHNP as its preferred bidder in July 2024 for two new units near the current Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, about 200 kilometres southeast of Prague. Two more units at the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant are also being considered. The engineering, procurement and construction contract was signed in June 2025, for two APR-1000 units at a projected cost of CZK407 billion (USD18.6 billion). The aim is to start construction in 2029.
