Construction of a new nuclear power source seems more likely after February 21
1. 10. 2019
The premises of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic held the International Power Engineering Forum, dedicated to the prospects of the construction of new nuclear power sources in the Czech Republic.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Jaroslav Míl, a government representative, presented the considered financing model where the government enters into a contract with Dukovany 2, a subsidiary company of ČEZ, which will be the beneficiary of assets such as the land plots and buildings, but not the nuclear power units to be operated.
ČEZ will oversee the tender, contracts, preparation and implementation of the project, safety, deadlines and budget. The government will provide financial guarantees and will not under any circumstances pay for additional work or cover costs incurred by an extension of the project. At the same time, the government has reserved the right to assume project management should fatal complications arise.
By its guarantees for the loans provided, the government will guarantee “cheap money” for the investor so that the project is efficient. Prime Minister Babiš highlighted that due to its importance, complexity and continuity, the project requires approval across the political representation and society. The Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy has been innovated so that its head is now the Prime Minister, with representatives of the opposition as some of the members.
The principal milestones on the timeline is the conclusion of the first contract on collaboration between the government and ČEZ by the end of 2019, extension of validity of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Construction of ETE34 (EIA), approval of a new EIA for the new source at Dukovany, preparation of the financing model and an agreement with the European Union.
The tender should be organized at the end of 2020 or early in 2021. The first stage should conclude with the selection of the contractor and submission of the proposal for approval by the government in 2024. Vladimír Poklop, General Director, also attended the forum, where representatives of prospective foreign contractors confirmed their interest and capability for maximum engagement in the project as well as the intent to engage Czech companies in the project.