Doosan Škoda Power to produce generators in Czech Republic

Doosan Škoda Power, a subsidiary of Doosan Energy located in Plzeň, Czech Republic, has an employee inspecting a steam turbine in production. (Doosan Enerbility)

Doosan Enerbility Co., South Korea’s biggest supplier of nuclear reactors, will invest 200 billion won ($150.09 million) in its subsidiary, Doosan Škoda Power, to begin producing generators in the Czech Republic.

Doosan Enerbility announced on Sunday that it will invest a total of 200 billion won to transfer generator production technology to Doosan Škoda Power, which manufactures steam turbines, a key component of nuclear power plants.

The two companies began internal reviews of the technology transfer and factory equipment investments in June.

Engineers from Doosan Škoda Power visited Doosan Enerbility’s headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, in July, to assess generator production capabilities and discuss investment plans.

Once the technology transfer is complete, Doosan Škoda Power will be able to produce generators, in addition to steam turbines.

The technology transfer is expected to be finalized by 2029, enabling the company to produce generators for small modular reactors (SMRs) and combined cycle power plants.

Doosan Škoda Power recently delivered 26 steam turbines for nuclear power plants to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Finland, and has supplied over 540 steam turbines globally to date.

The recent successful bid for the Dukovany nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic by Team Korea, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., is also expected to position Doosan Škoda Power as a strategic base for expanding into Europe.

The company’s presence is also likely to grow as Team Korea aims to leverage this Czech project to enter new nuclear projects in other European countries.

“Many countries, including Poland, Romania, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, are pursuing new nuclear power projects,” said an official from Doosan Enerbility. “The role of Doosan Škoda Power is expected to increase, given its location in Europe.”

Ivan Jančárek, the Czech ambassador to South Korea, also emphasized during a meeting with Doosan Enerbility Chairman Park Gee-won earlier this month that “the successful completion of the Czech nuclear project will provide an excellent opportunity for the nuclear industries of Korea and the Czech Republic to jointly participate in new nuclear projects across various European countries.”