South Korea and the Czech Republic have taken a significant step towards collaborating on the construction of nuclear power units, with the signing of 13 memoranda of understanding (MoUs). These agreements, signed by government agencies, state-run firms, and private-sector companies from both nations, aim to facilitate cooperation throughout all stages of a nuclear energy project in the Czech Republic.
The signed documents pave the way for collaboration between South Korean and Czech entities in the preconstruction, construction, and postconstruction phases of nuclear power units. The collaboration is contingent on South Korean firms securing nuclear export deals with the Czech Republic, which are expected to be finalized by March 2025.
According to South Korea's presidential office, the MoUs will enable both countries to jointly supply and localize equipment for newly built nuclear energy units. Furthermore, the two nations will collaborate on the design, testing, and commissioning of the units, as well as the development of nuclear fuels, radioactive waste disposal, and the training of nuclear power technicians. Information and technology sharing will also be a key component of the partnership.
The MoUs were signed during a visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to the headquarters of Doosan Škoda Power in Plzeň, located about 84 kilometers southwest of Prague. Doosan Škoda Power, a major player in the global nuclear energy industry, is fully owned by South Korean engineering firm Doosan Enerbility.
During the visit, President Yoon highlighted the significance of the agreements, calling them a 'nuclear energy renaissance'. He emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in achieving carbon neutrality, ensuring energy security, and providing a stable and affordable supply of electricity to protect critical infrastructure.
"Nuclear energy allows us to kill three birds with one stone", Yoon said, referring to the multiple benefits of energy stability, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure protection.
Prime Minister Fiala echoed these sentiments, noting that nuclear energy has become the Czech Republic's primary source of electricity. He also highlighted the comprehensive legislative steps that have been taken to facilitate the construction of new nuclear power plants in the country. Fiala expressed optimism about the economic benefits the project will bring to the Czech Republic, particularly if the mandate requiring Czech companies to account for 60% of the project participants is successful.
The signing ceremony saw the participation of several key companies and institutions from both nations. From South Korea, representatives from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), Doosan Enerbility, Daewoo Engineering and Construction, Kepco Engineering and Construction, and Kepco Plant Service and Engineering were present. Czech entities involved in the signing included Armatury Group, Doosan Škoda Power, BAEST Machines and Structures, Sudop Praha, Reko Praha, and TES Vsetín.
Academic institutions from both countries also took part in the MoU signing. South Korea was represented by Kepco International Nuclear Graduate School and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, while the Czech Republic was represented by Brno University of Technology and the University of West Bohemia.
The collaboration is seen as a major development in the Czech Republic’s efforts to expand its nuclear energy capacity. In July 2023, a South Korean consortium led by KHNP was named the preferred bidder for a nuclear power project to build two 1,000-megawatt units in Dukovany, Czech Republic.
Ahead of the visit to Plzeň, President Yoon addressed a business forum attended by around 470 participants, where he expressed his belief that the MoUs will lay the foundation for cooperation in all phases of nuclear energy ecosystem development. This includes nuclear plant construction, technology exchange, and workforce training.
Yoon also suggested that the nuclear energy collaboration could pave the way for cooperation in other industries such as electric vehicles, robotics, and high-speed trains.
The partnership between South Korea and the Czech Republic marks a significant milestone in their shared commitment to advancing nuclear energy and strengthening economic ties.