Dukovany nuclear expansion costs projected at 700 billion CZK

The expansion of the Dukovany nuclear power station is expected to cost between 600 and 700 billion CZK, significantly higher than the previously cited 400 billion CZK. Karel Havlíček clarified that the initial figure did not account for the ‘price of money,’ specifically the interest on state-provided loans.

Havlíček noted that the 600 to 700 billion CZK estimate is an optimistic scenario that assumes no significant construction delays or plan revisions. Analysts warn that interest costs are directly proportional to any delays; for instance, a shift from a 2036 completion date to 2040 would further increase the total expenditure.

Experts point to historical precedents in the nuclear industry to highlight potential risks. Similar large-scale projects in France, Finland, and the United Kingdom have faced massive cost overruns and decade-long delays. A study from Boston University indicates that nuclear power plants average budget overruns of 102.5 percent and delays of nearly two years, often due to changing safety regulations and a shortage of skilled labor.