(Photo: Yonhap News) ▲ Panoramic view of Dukovany, the planned site for the new nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic
As concerns grow over potential setbacks following the breakdown of construction contract negotiations for the Dukovany nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic, the minister and vice minister of the competent ministry are directly inspecting the overall project and stepping in for risk management.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan announced today (Nov. 2) that he will launch an emergency management system led by the minister and vice minister to ensure the seamless implementation of the Czech Dukovany nuclear power plant project.
The move is intended to ensure that the trust in "On Time, On Budget," a core competitive edge of South Korea's nuclear power industry, remains unshaken.
To this end, the ministry plans to alternately hold the "Team Korea Czech Nuclear Power Project Status Inspection Meeting" chaired by Minister Kim and the "KHNP Implementation Plan Inspection Meeting" chaired by Vice Minister Park Dong-il on a weekly basis to promptly review and execute necessary measures.
The first meeting will be held today at 10:00 a.m. under the chairmanship of Vice Minister Park.
The meeting will focus on discussing KHNP's selection procedures and required timelines for a new contractor, as well as measures to carry out key tasks following the termination of previous negotiations.
In addition, plans will be formulated to ensure the flawless implementation of major schedules, including applying for a construction permit in April next year, commencing site preparation in January 2029, and breaking ground in November 2029.
Minister Kim stated, "The competitiveness of South Korea's nuclear power lies in the 'team spirit' that pools the capabilities of individual companies," adding, "For the time being, the minister and vice minister will directly operate an emergency management system to inspect project issues every week and take necessary measures."
Previously, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) terminated its contract on October 29 with the Daewoo E&C and Doosan Enerbility consortium, which was originally tasked with the construction of the Dukovany nuclear power plant.
The two sides parted ways one year and four months after signing the main contract, failing to narrow their differences over cost burdens stemming from increased construction volume and contract terms.
KHNP plans to complete the selection of a new contractor through competitive bidding by July next year.
The Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project is a project in which KHNP will supply two 1,000-megawatt (MW) Korean-type APR1000 nuclear reactors (Dukovany Units 5 and 6) to the Dukovany region in the Czech Republic, with a total project cost of approximately 422 billion korunas (approx. 26 trillion KRW; 27 trillion KRW at the time of contract signing).
(Photo provided by Daewoo E&C, Yonhap News)
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