The Dukovany new nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic was originally launched through a tender in 2022. Following the 2024 selection of South Korea’s KHNP as preferred bidder and a 2025 financing restructuring that saw the Czech state take an 80% stake in the project vehicle, the development has progressed into site preparation, supply chain mobilization, and bilateral coordination with Korea. As of 2026, preparatory works are underway alongside the formation of a Czech–Korean ministerial steering committee. This is while the government extends the life of existing Dukovany units to the 2060s to bridge the transition toward the new reactors expected in the late 2030s. This also includes SMRs, as marked with the progress at Temelin power plant for Czech Republic’s first small nuclear reactor.

Project Fact Sheet for Dukovany New Nuclear Power Plant (Units 5 and 6)

Location: Dukovany, Czech Republic

Project Type: Large-scale nuclear

Reactor Type: Pressurized Water Reactors – APR1000

Capacity:

• 1,000–1,055 MW per unit
• Total: 2 GW in initial phase

Project Owner: CEZ

Project Vehicle: Elektrarna Dukovany II (EDU II)

Government Stake: 80% post-2025 restructuring

EPC Contractor and Technology Provider: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)

Other Bidders: France’s EDF and U.S.-based Westinghouse

Estimated Project Cost: $18-18.2 billion for initial two units

Status as of 2026:

• Preferred bidder selected
• Financing structure agreed
• Site surveys and early works ongoing
• Legal and regulatory processes still partially active

Strategic Role:

• Replace aging Dukovany units (1985-1987)
• Support coal phase-out
• Increase nuclear share toward 50% of electricity mix

Updated Project Timeline

Early Development

• 2016–2020: Environmental and licensing groundwork initiated
• March 2022: Official tender launched for new nuclear unit

Procurement and Selection

• Oct 2023: Final bids submitted by EDF, KHNP, and Westinghouse
• July 2024: KHNP selected as preferred bidder

Structuring and Approvals

• 2024: EU approves state aid financing model
• April 2025: Czech state takes 80% stake in project vehicle
• 2025: Contract signing process delayed by legal challenge from EDF

Execution Phase

2025-2026:

• Site surveys begin
• Czech-Korean steering committee established
• Supply chain localization initiated

Construction and Operation

• 2029: Start of construction
• 2036: First unit commissioning
• 2038: Second unit commissioning

Czech Republic to Build New Nuclear Power Plant at Dukovany

Reported March 21, 2022 – Following the completion of the safety study by EDF from France, Westinghouse from the United States, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) – the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has formally given its clearance for the new nuclear power plant at Dukovany.

Bidders have until November this year to submit their initial proposals, with EZ anticipating that it will have analyzed the offers and presented its report for government permission in time for contract finalization in 2024.

“The primary goal is to complete a safe and cost-effective project within the time and stipulated budget. Of course, the purpose of the tender is to select the best contractor and have a quality and useful contract,” said Daniel Bene, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of EZ.

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Following its signature, the project paperwork will be thoroughly produced in order to reduce the complications associated with some overseas projects. I feel that the 2036 start date for the next unit’s test operation is feasible,” concluded the EZ CEO.

The new nuclear plant at Dukovany will be erected close to the existing power plant, the first unit of which was inaugurated in 1985.

Electricity produced by the New Nuclear Power Plant at Dukovany to be purchased by a state-owned company

As per a law approved last year in September by a large majority in the Chamber of Deputies, the electricity produced by the New Nuclear Power Plant at Dukovany will be purchased by a state-owned company at a fixed rate for at least 30 years, with the option to extend.

The power will be resold on the wholesale market, and any profit or loss will be reflected in power bill adjustments, however, the government has stated that any additional costs will be limited. The law is called Lex Dukovany after the power plant location where the new construction is planned.

In addition to consistent electricity supplies, Lex Dukovany explains, nuclear power plants also enable the provision of stable heat supplies, which is another advantage due to the huge central heat supply infrastructure in the Czech Republic.

As a result of its potential to offer low-carbon, steady, and cheap electricity supply, nuclear energy has been selected as the major means of providing energy security in the Czech Republic in the context of reaching the goal of a climate-neutral EU by 2050.