Czech power company ČEZ Group says its Elektrárna Dukovany II subsidiary has extended the deadline for submitting updated bids to construct unit 5 at the Dukovany NPP with binding options three more units – Dukovany 6 and two at the Temelin NPP. The extension was requested by Électricité de France (EDF), one of the bidders, the other being Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). Ministry of Industry & Trade recommended that this request be granted. The deadline for submitting updated bids has been extended from 15 to 30 April.
EDF justified the request for an extension by internal approval processes and, as in previous cases under the tender, this request was granted, ČEZ noted. “It is a standard process, we have approved similar shifts over the weeks in the past,” said Minister of Industry & Trade Jozef Síkela. “Our goal is to obtain the highest possible binding offers, which will ensure the best possible conditions for the Czech Republic. Therefore, we decided to grant a two-week move request, which does not affect the project schedule.”
The extension does not affect the schedule for the construction of the first new nuclear unit in Dukovany. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2029 for trial operation in 2036. Elektrárna Dukovany II will evaluate all submitted bids and submit the evaluation report to the government for final approval by 15 June 2024. The original term was 31 May. “The government will then have a month to comment on the evaluation report on the basis of the First Implementing Agreement on Cooperation in the Construction of a New Nuclear Source in the Dukovany locality in the Czech Republic,” ČEZ said.
In February, the Czech government amended the tender for new nuclear to binding offers for up to four reactors, rather than one and invited bids only from EDF) and KHNP. The third original bidder, Westinghouse, was not included because it "did not meet the necessary conditions".
Image: Dukovany nuclear power plant (courtesy of ČEZ)
