The billion-dollar deal goes to the Korean group Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP): This week, the Czech government decided to commission two new nuclear reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The government has initially estimated the costs at around 15.8 billion euros. Negotiations are ongoing regarding two new reactors at the Temelin nuclear power plant.
Criticism of the Czech government’s decision comes from Upper Austria: The Czech Republic is planning “the next step on the nuclear misguided path” and will become a “test area for Korean reactor technology,” says State Environment Minister Stefan Kaineder (Greens) in an interview with OÖN.
Instead of increasing the share of renewable energies, the Czech Republic is expanding “expensive and dangerous nuclear power”, which cannot be achieved without subsidies, criticizes Kaineder. Anyone who knows the developments in new nuclear power plant construction projects in Europe knows that electricity from these nuclear power plants is very expensive and is not marketable without subsidies.
The anti-nuclear organization “atomstopp” from Upper Austria also criticizes KHNP for having no experience with the construction of reactors in Europe and the higher safety regulations. It is also the first APR-1000 reactor to be built. The cost and timetable are also unrealistic.
