Czech Nuclear Contract Obstacle Resolved
Positive Signal for ‘Team KORUS’ Export Cooperation, The intellectual property dispute between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Westinghouse of the United States, which has lasted for over two years, has been resolved through mutual agreement. Not only has this removed the biggest obstacle to the main contract for the new Czech nuclear power plant scheduled for March, but it is also seen as a positive signal for expanding future ‘Team KORUS (KOREA-US)’ cooperation.
According to the nuclear industry on the 16th, KHNP, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Westinghouse have agreed to halt the intellectual property dispute ongoing since 2022 and will collaborate in the global nuclear power market moving forward. It is reported that these three companies, along with Canadian nuclear fuel company Cameco, in which Westinghouse holds a stake, will officially announce the settlement of the negotiations as soon as the 17th in the United States.
KHNP and Westinghouse had been in a dispute over the ownership of the technology for the Korean-designed nuclear reactor ‘APR1400’. Westinghouse claimed that the reactor was based on its technology, noting that KHNP would need its permission for overseas exports. However, KHNP argued that having independently developed key technologies such as the coolant pump and integrated instrumentation control facilities, it faced no issues with independent exports.
The APR1400 will be used in the construction of two new Dukovany nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, for which KHNP is aiming to sign the main contract in March. Concerns had been raised that a final agreement would be difficult if the intellectual property dispute with Westinghouse was not resolved. However, with the dispute now settled, the main contract for the export of the new Czech nuclear plants is expected to proceed smoothly.
The two companies are said to have agreed on a confidentiality clause during this negotiation process, meaning the specific details of the negotiations will not be disclosed. Nonetheless, there is speculation within the nuclear industry that KHNP will pay royalties to Westinghouse and that they may pursue joint nuclear exports to Europe and other regions.
This agreement is expected to have a positive impact on expanding nuclear cooperation between Korea and the United States in the future.