US-based Westinghouse Electric, France’s EDF and South Korea’s KHNP have placed final bids with Czech utility CEZ for a new nuclear unit at the Dukovany Power Plant II facility.

The suppliers submitted bids for Dukovany Unit 5 and non-binding bids for another three nuclear reactors.

CEZ subsidiary Elektrárna Dukovany II will now assess the bids and look to award final contracts before November 2024.

The new Dukovany nuclear unit, scheduled to be ready for trial operation in 2036, will be built next to the existing power plant.

ČEZ New Energy Division Director and member of the board of directors Tomáš Pleskač stated: “We are happy to confirm the strong interest of all three bidders in constructing a new nuclear power plant in Czechia.

“We have seen careful preparation by all bidders since the tender was launched in March last year. Now we will evaluate the bids and, according to the contract with the state, we will submit the evaluation report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and then to the Czech government for final approval.”

Westinghouse and its construction partner Bechtel are seeking approval from the US Government for a proposal to supply four AP1000 reactors to the Czech Republic.

US Ambassador to the Czech Republic Bijan Sabet stated: “From a strategic energy security perspective, selecting a US technology would provide the Czech Republic with a reliable source of clean energy that not only will combat climate change and reduce emissions but will be an investment in the Czech people, creating thousands of green jobs across the nuclear supply chain.”

Beginning in 2024, Westinghouse plans to supply nuclear fuel to both the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear sites.

Earlier in 2023, CEZ invited Westinghouse Electric, France’s EDF and South Korea’s KHNP to bid for the nuclear reactor.

The deadline was extended to 31 October 2023 following a request from one of the three companies, according to Reuters.