PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech government said Wednesday it plans to build up to four nuclear reactors instead of one as the country tries to become more energy independent and wean itself off fossil fuels.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the decision to seek more reactors could reduce the price per reactor by up to 25%. The timing and locations are not yet decided.
Three companies including U.S. firm Westinghouse, France’s EDF and Korea’s KHNP originally submitted bids to build one reactor at the Dukovany nuclear power station. It should become operational by 2036.
As part of their bids, the companies had also submitted unbinding offers to build three more nuclear reactors.
In a surprise move, the government announced that Westinghouse’s bid didn’t meet the conditions of the tender, and only EDF and KHNP have been asked to submit new, expanded bids in April.
Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela said an assessment of the bids should be completed by the end of May.
The Czech Republic already relies on six nuclear reactors to generate more than a third of its electricity. Besides four in Dukovany, state-controlled power company CEZ operates two 1,000-megawatt reactors at the Temelin plant.
# Could reduce the price... yeah right
# Westinghouse didnt meet conditions of tender
# Has an existing Industry but will still take 12 years to design & build.
## LNP is being delusional again and this is just to prop up the Coal Industry.
