Largest construction tender in Czech history starts for nuclear reactor

The fight for the largest construction order in the history of the Czech Republic will get underway at the end of September. Five companies are expected to compete in a CZK 160 billion tender to build a new nuclear power reactor at the Dukovany nuclear facility. Because of the coronavirus, the first round of the tender will be held online. "The topic will be primarily the organization of the tender and to answer questions about the chosen procurement model so that they can begin preparing for the actual tender as soon as possible," said Ladislav Kriz, spokesman of the state-owned power company CEZ. If all goes to plan, the actual tender could get underway before the end of the year and be completed within two years. The beginning of actual construction work isn't envisioned until 2029, which would mean the new reactor wouldn't go into operation until 2038. One the five contestant, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), has been building its brand in the Czech Republic for over a year, buying media exposure, contributing to park maintenance and sponsoring a hockey club in Trebic. The other four groups that are in the running for the contract are Rosatom, Westinghouse, EdF and China's CGNP.