S. Korea’s KHNP named preferred bidder to build nuclear plant in Czech Republic: reports

SEOUL: South Korea's state-run nuclear power agency has been selected as a preferred bidder to build nuclear power units in the Czech Republic, according to foreign media reports Wednesday. The Czech Republic had received binding bids from a South Korean consortium led by Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) and France's EDF for the project to build four 1,200-megawatt nuclear reactors in Dukovany and Temelin. If the remaining procedures are successful, it will mark the first time since 2009 that South Korea has secured an overseas nuclear power plant construction project, following its contract to build the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. The South Korean consortium includes KEPCO E and C, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel, KEPCO KPS, Doosan Enerbility Co. and Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. The final result is expected to be announced within the first half of next year. Industry watchers estimate the size of the project at around 30 trillion won (US$21.6 billion). The project is a lso anticipated to help South Korea penetrate deeper into the European market for nuclear energy, including Poland, the Netherlands and Romania. Source: Yonhap News Agency