In a significant move for the Czech Republic’s energy future, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, along with Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela and other key officials, has commenced negotiations with a South Korean delegation regarding the development of new nuclear blocks. The tender, awarded to South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), marks a milestone in the Czech Republic’s pursuit of energy stability and economic collaboration.
According to Jozef Síkela, the goal is to finalize all relevant contracts by the end of March next year. “Only a week after the tender’s result announcement, we have already initiated discussions and working meetings with the Korean representatives,” Síkela stated. “Our objective is to ensure that all agreements are in place by the end of March and to discuss future collaboration between our nations.”
Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the importance of involving Czech companies in the project, highlighting that local economic support is crucial. “We discussed specific examples of cooperation with local suppliers like Škoda JS and others. The Korean side has committed to ensuring that around 60 percent of this strategic investment will involve domestic companies,” Fiala shared on social media. He stressed that this level of participation must be maintained to bolster the Czech economy.
The negotiations saw the presence of key South Korean figures, including Sung Tae-jun, head of the presidential office for political affairs, and Industry Minister An Duk-kun. They conveyed a letter of gratitude from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, underscoring the significance of this international partnership. The top executives from KHNP were also in attendance, underscoring the project’s high priority.
This agreement follows the recent success of a South Korean consortium, led by KHNP, in securing a Czech nuclear project valued at approximately $17.3 billion (15.9 billion euros). The initial phase focuses on the construction of new reactors in Dukovany, with potential expansion to two more reactors in Temelín under negotiation. Prime Minister Fiala noted that constructing two blocks simultaneously could yield savings exceeding 20 percent, highlighting the economic efficiency of this approach.
As the Czech Republic advances its nuclear energy strategy, the collaboration with South Korea represents a pivotal step toward enhancing energy security and fostering economic growth through international cooperation.