In South Korea, we discussed possible cooperation of Czech companies on the completion of nuclear blocks in the Czech Republic

The meeting with the management of the South Korean company KHNP, a leading player in the field of nuclear power plant construction in the world, was held under the auspices of the Czech Power Industry Alliance (CPIA). The meeting took place at the end of May at the company's headquarters in South Korea and the main topic of the meeting was the establishment of cooperation and presentation of the competencies of Czech companies as major suppliers in the construction of a new nuclear power source in the Czech Republic.

Representatives of KHNP acquainted the Czech side with the offered technology, supply chain and standard processes of subcontracting.

Subsequently, bilateral meetings of individual Czech companies took place with representatives from KHNP, Kepco and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction according to the fields in which KHNP and CPIA members can cooperate. "We acquainted the Korean partners with ZAT's competencies in nuclear energy in the field of control of the primary and secondary part of the nuclear power plant, presented our references in Europe and in the world and offered our know-how in the construction of new nuclear block in the Czech Republic," says František Kural, who participated in the event on behalf of ZAT.

According to Josef Perlík, Executive Director of the Czech Power Industry Alliance, it is crucial for Czech industry that the korean partner is aware of the importance and potential of the Czech nuclear and power engineering supply industry and is ready to respect it when participating in and potentially building a new nuclear power source. "This is very important not only for industry itself, but also for the Czech Republic as a state that essentially implements investments in a new source, and which has an eminent interest in maintaining the nuclear field as a functional unit in the future," adds Josef Perlík.

During the meeting, the Czech delegation visited the Shin Kori nuclear power plant, where company representatives visited block 5 and 6 under construction, as well as part of the technology of block 4 that is already in operation. This is the APR 1400 technology, which South Koreans are currently deploying, for example, in the United Arab Emirates on four blocks of Barakah NPP.

The Czech side of the event was represented by Škoda JS a.s., Doosan Škoda Power s.r.o., SIGMA Group a.s., I&C Energo a.s. and ZAT a.s. - members of the Czech Energy Alliance

The goal of the Alliance is to negotiate the participation of Czech companies in the construction of a new nuclear power source in Dukovany, and thus, among other things, to ensure the future of the nuclear and power engineering supply industry in the Czech Republic as well as power engineering safety and security and independence in the operation and maintenance of new blocks. To meet this goal, the Alliance develops activities leading to the establishment of an agreement on preliminary cooperation with all bidders.

The South Korean company KHNP is one of the serious bidders for the completion of nuclear blocks in our country. The group currently operates 24 nuclear power plants and is building another 8 in the United Arab Emirates and Korea. The Generation III + EU-APR and APR1000 reactors they supply offer state-of-the-art elements of passive safety and protection in the event of a large aircraft crash and cyber-attacks.