KHNP CEO reviews Dukovany project in Czech Republic

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) CEO Kim Hoe-chun, front row third from left, visits Doosan Skoda Power’s manufacturing facility in Plzen, Czech Republic, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of KHNP

State-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) CEO Kim Hoe-chun met with Czech industry officials on Thursday (local time) to review progress on the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station project, marking one year since the two sides signed a landmark construction contract.

During his two-day visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday and Thursday, the KHNP CEO joined Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek, and key engineering partners for a Dukovany Steering Committee meeting to review the project's progress.

Participants reviewed progress on the project to build two nuclear reactors in the Dukovany region and discussed next steps, focusing on ensuring the project remains on schedule and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

On Thursday, KHNP separately hosted a Korea-Czech nuclear industry partnership event in Prague to celebrate the contract’s first anniversary, where Korea Electric Power Corp. Engineering & Construction (KEPCO E&C) and the Czech firm Energoprojekt Praha signed a design support services agreement.

"The Dukovany nuclear project is a landmark initiative that symbolizes the strategic partnership between Korea and the Czech Republic," Kim said. "KHNP will work closely with the Czech government, the project company, local communities and Czech companies to make this project one of the safest and most successful nuclear power plant construction projects in the world."

On Wednesday, Kim visited Doosan Skoda Power’s manufacturing facility in Plzen, about 90 kilometers west of Prague.

The Czech power equipment manufacturer is set to supply steam turbines for Dukovany units 5 and 6 under a contract signed in February with Doosan Enerbility, the main supplier of key equipment for the project.

During the visit, Kim reviewed the company's production capabilities and discussed cooperation measures aimed at ensuring the highest standards of quality in the construction of the new reactors.

The 27 trillion won ($17.6 billion) Dukovany nuclear project is scheduled to begin construction in 2029, with preparatory work, licensing procedures and supplier coordination currently underway. Last June, KHNP signed the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Elektrárna Dukovany II, the Czech state-owned company overseeing the project.