Czech Republic to Solicit Bids for Two Nuclear Reactors
The government expects to decide on the Temelin project construction in 2027 after reviewing international proposals.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Nuclear
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The Czech Republic plans to allow international price proposals in 2026 for the construction of two additional nuclear reactors at the Temelin power plant. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, which holds a nonbinding option for the project, is currently competing against French and American firms.
Why it matters
The competition for the Temelin project signals the Czech government's intent to benchmark global pricing for large-scale nuclear infrastructure. This move follows a period of heightened activity as suppliers vie for dominance in the European nuclear market.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has signed 34 memorandums of understanding with Czech suppliers to bolster its project bid. The company is leveraging the existing workforce and network established through its prior contract at the Dukovany nuclear site.
The players
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
A South Korean energy firm specializing in the design, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants.
Westinghouse
An American nuclear power company currently acting as a subcontractor for the Dukovany project.
EDF
A French state-owned electric utility company and a major competitor in global nuclear reactor procurement.
The details
The procurement process involves competing designs and service proposals from South Korean, French, and American entities. To secure its position for the two Temelin reactors, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is integrating local Czech firms into its operational chain, utilizing expertise gained from the Dukovany project. Meanwhile, competitors like EDF are actively challenging prior bidding results in court, reflecting the high stakes of the expansion.
Timeline
January 2026: The Czech government stated its intention to allow multiple international price proposals.
October 14, 2026: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed 34 memorandums of understanding with Czech companies.
2027: The Czech Republic expects to finalize its decision on the construction of the two reactors.
The Tech Race
The competition for the Temelin reactors builds directly upon the groundwork laid by the Dukovany project. Suppliers are now racing to secure long-term European integration by locking in local supplier networks.
The decision in 2027 will determine the primary supplier for the Czech Republic's future energy grid. Industrial and energy stakeholders should monitor the upcoming price proposals in 2026 to gauge the expected trajectory of regional electricity costs.
The takeaway
The Czech Republic's move to solicit multiple international bids ensures a competitive pricing environment for its nuclear future. Observers should track the 2026 bidding process and the 2027 final construction decision to identify the successful engineering and supply chain partner.
Further reading
For more on how nations evaluate energy infrastructure, visit our Nuclear section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UPI.
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