The Czech presence was further underscored by the broader context of the ongoing construction of two new units at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, to be carried out by the South Korean company KHNP.

South Korea’s current energy mix consists of 31.4% coal, 30.7% nuclear, 26.7% gas, and 8.4% renewable energy sources. According to estimates by the Korean Ministry of Climate, annual electricity consumption is expected to rise between 2026 and 2040 from 549.8 TWh in 2024 to 657.6–694.1 TWh in 2040, representing an increase of approximately 26% to 30%. At the same time, peak system load is projected to grow from the current level of about 100 GW to 131.8–138.2 GW by 2040.

This growth is driven primarily by South Korea’s strategic commitment to artificial intelligence (AI), into whose infrastructure the country is investing heavily. Korea’s position as a global technology leader depends strongly on securing sufficient electricity to power large‑scale data centers. Closely linked to AI development is the planned construction of a nationwide “energy highway”, which South Korea intends to complete by the 2040s, utilizing HVDC technology (high‑voltage direct current transmission). This infrastructure will reduce long‑distance transmission losses and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources while meeting rising electricity demand driven by AI adoption.

The HVDC infrastructure is expected to be built first along the western coast of the country in the 2030s, and later expanded to the south and east. By 2030, the total length of transmission lines is planned to increase from 37,169 circuit kilometers to 48,592 circuit kilometers, an increase of more than 30%.

Nuclear technology represents one of the strategic pillars of South Korea’s energy mix. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and its subsidiary Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) operate 26 commercial nuclear reactors and provide generation, maintenance, and engineering services. Significant attention is being devoted to the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), investments in research and development of fast reactors, and technologies for nuclear fuel recycling.

Since the 1970s, South Korea has gradually evolved from being a know‑how importer to becoming a nuclear technology exporter, exemplified by the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant project in the United Arab Emirates and, most recently, the construction of two new units at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, with an option for two additional units at Temelín.

The Czech Republic’s priority in this context remains maximum involvement of Czech companies, targeting a localization rate of up to 60%, with a particular emphasis on contracts with high added value. This objective is supported by the establishment of the KHNP Localization Support Center in Prague. Through close cooperation with South Korean partners, Czech companies may gain opportunities not only within domestic projects, but potentially also in third‑country markets.

The International Nuclear Expo (INEX) 2026 took place in Busan under the motto “Nuclear Energy for an AI‑Powered World”, and was held concurrently with the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference 2026 and the Korea Atomic Power Annual Conference. The event featured 420 exhibition booths and attracted nearly 160 companies from 20 countries.

Key thematic areas included small modular reactors, other advanced reactor technologies, the role of nuclear power in addressing rapidly growing electricity demand associated with AI and data centers, as well as robotics, digital security, and materials for nuclear supply chains.

Within the framework of an economic diplomacy project funded by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and implemented in cooperation with the Czech Energy Industry Association and the Prague office of KOTRA, a record‑breaking fourteen Czech companies were represented in the Czech National Pavilion. These were:

ABO valve, s.r.o.; dataPartner s.r.o.; EGE, spol. s r.o.; Hanyš – Jeřábnické práce, s.r.o.; MIFRE ENERGY s.r.o.; TES, s.r.o.; ZPA Pečky, a.s.; Bilfinger Czech Republic, s.r.o.; Kablo Vrchlabí s.r.o.; Metrostav a.s.; NUVIA Group; SIGMA GROUP a.s.; ŠKODA JS a.s.; and ZAT a.s.

The national pavilion was also supported by the presence of Czech Ambassador Ivan Jančárek, Tomáš Ehler, Director‑General of the Nuclear Energy and New Technologies Section at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and Petr Závodský, CEO of EDU II.

Further relevant information on this topic can be found at the following links:

1. International Nuclear Expo 2026: https://www.nekorea.kr/english/
2. Korea Atomic Industrial Forum (KAIF): https://www.kaif.or.kr/en/
3. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment of the Republic of Korea: https://eng.me.go.kr/eng/
4. Korea Energy Agency: https://www.energy.or.kr/en/
5. KHNP Localization Support Center: https://www.khnpcesko.cz/pro-firmy-a-partnery

Czech companies interested in further engagement may contact the Commercial Section of the Czech Embassy in Seoul at seoul.commerce@mzv.gov.cz.

Jakub Kopecký, Economic Diplomat at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Seoul