CEZ receives 3 bids for 1.2 GW Dukovany-5 nuclear project (Czechia)

The Czech power utility ČEZ, through its affiliate Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II), has received three bids for the construction of a new 1.2 GW nuclear power plant in Dukovany (Dukovany-5) in Czechia, from EDF,  KHNP and Westinghouse, which had been prequalified for the tender launched in March 2022. EDU II will now review the bids and negotiate with the three bidders, which will have 20 months (until the end of September 2023) to prepare their final bids. After that, the bids will be evaluated again by ČEZ, and the evaluation report will then be submitted for state approval. The contracts are expected to be finalised in 2024. Construction is scheduled to start in 2029, and commissioning is expected in 2036, for a cost of at least €6bn.

ČEZ already operates four VVER-440 reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant (2,040 MW) and two VVER-1000 reactors at the Temelín plant (2,160 MW). The group has received approval for two new 1,200 MW units at Dukovany and also plans to add two reactors (between 1,000 and 1,700 MW) at Temelin (expected in 2035-2036 at the earliest by ČEPS, more likely between 2036 and 2040).