Czech government now seeks to build up to 4 nuclear reactors instead 1 to reduce price

The Czech government says 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

PRAGUE -- 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.