Czech Nuclear Power

An article covering the status of nuclear power in Czechia and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's project to secure orders for new nuclear plants at Dukovany and Temelín.

Czech Nuclear Power

Overview

Czech nuclear power is a concept encompassing the nuclear power plants operated by the Czech Republic (Dukovany and Temelín) and new nuclear plant construction projects. Czechia is a nuclear powerhouse that produces more than one-third of its total electricity from nuclear power, and it became a watershed market for Korean nuclear exports when Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) was selected as the preferred bidder for the new Dukovany nuclear plant in July 2024. In 2025, the project expanded to four units and the main contract was signed, positioning it as a key project in the European nuclear market.

Main Content

Status of Nuclear Power in Czechia

Czechia operates a total of six units: Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant (four Russian-type VVER-440 units, commercial operation 1985–1987) and Temelín Nuclear Power Plant (two VVER-1000 units, in operation in 2000 and 2002), with nuclear power accounting for about 35–40% of total generation. The remainder has been covered by coal, natural gas, and renewable energy, but in line with its 2050 carbon neutrality goal and policy of phasing out coal power, it is pursuing an energy transition plan that significantly expands the share of nuclear power. The Czech government defines nuclear power as a pillar of energy security and industrial competitiveness and manages new construction as a national strategic project.

Background of the New Nuclear Plant Project

ČEZ announced an international tender for the construction of Dukovany Units 5 and 6 in 2022, and in April 2024, the three companies—France's EDF, the U.S. Westinghouse, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power—submitted final proposals. On July 17, 2024, the Czech government selected KHNP as the preferred bidder. It is known that price competitiveness, a track record of meeting construction schedules, and a support system across the entire construction and operation cycle gave it an advantage in the evaluation. The eliminated EDF and Westinghouse raised procedural objections, but the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) dismissed them in October–November 2024, confirming KHNP's status.

Project Scale and Contract Structure

The original project was for two units, Dukovany 5 and 6, at a scale of about KRW 24 trillion. In March 2025, when the Czech government approved a plan to additionally construct Temelín Units 3 and 4, it expanded into a mega-project of up to four units and around KRW 40 trillion in total. The client is Elektrárna Dukovany II, a subsidiary of ČEZ, and KHNP forms a consortium with Hyundai E&C, Doosan Enerbility, Daewoo E&C, and others to oversee engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). The reactor type to be applied is the Korean APR1400 (1,400 MW class), and conditions include design optimization tailored to Czech requirements and expanded participation by local companies. With the main contract signed in Prague on June 4, 2025, the entry of Korean-type nuclear plants into Europe was made official.

Construction Schedule

Dukovany Unit 5 is targeted to break ground in 2029 and begin commercial operation in 2036, and Unit 6 in 2037. Follow-up negotiations are underway for Temelín Units 3 and 4 with the goal of operation in the late 2030s. Before groundbreaking, site preparation, nuclear licensing (SUJB), and negotiations on advance payments and financing conditions remain.

Major Issues

The biggest variable was the intellectual property dispute with the U.S. Westinghouse. In early 2025, KHNP reached a global settlement with Westinghouse, partially resolving export risks. In addition, within Czechia, the risks of cost overruns and schedule delays, the financing model including state guarantees and policy finance, and measures for local workforce training and industrial linkages are discussed as political issues.

Latest Trends

From 2024 to 2025, the Czech nuclear power project progressed rapidly: selection (July 2024) → decision to expand to four units (March 2025) → signing of the main contract (June 2025). Along with the expansion of nuclear power, the Czech government is conducting a feasibility review of introducing small modular reactors (SMRs), and at the EU level as well, there is a trend of strengthening nuclear-friendly policies such as the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). The Korean nuclear industry is seeking to enter follow-up European markets such as Poland and the Netherlands based on this order win, and the government has stated its intention to foster nuclear exports as a national strategic industry. In the second half of 2025, advance payment, licensing procedures, and negotiations on the local procurement ratio emerged as key tasks.