South Korean Companies Advance Nuclear Hydrogen Demonstration Project in Czech Republic

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on September 8 that it has completed a joint research review with the Czech Hydrogen Association (HYTEP) on the "legal, institutional, and policy environment for nuclear hydrogen production in the Czech Republic and the European Union," and exchanged views on advancing a clean hydrogen production demonstration project in the Czech Republic.

The two sides held a results-sharing meeting on September 7 at Hwangnyongwon in Gyeongju, South Korea, to review the final outcomes of the research. The study, launched in September 2025 and spanning approximately 11 months, primarily examined policy directions, laws and regulations, certification requirements, and market access conditions in the nuclear and hydrogen sectors in the Czech Republic and the EU, providing an institutional basis for the implementation of nuclear hydrogen production projects.

Based on the research findings, KHNP plans to promote a clean hydrogen production demonstration project integrated with nuclear power in the Czech Republic. The project envisions utilizing carbon-free electricity stably supplied by nuclear power plants to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis, and validating the relevant business models and technical feasibility on site. KHNP will also further study the objectives, scale, investment methods, and division of roles among local partner organizations for the demonstration project.

KHNP's cooperation with the Czech Hydrogen Association began at the "Korea-Czech Hydrogen Cooperation Forum" held in the Czech Republic in 2024. Subsequently, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding and participated for two consecutive years in the international hydrogen technology conference "Hydrogen Days" organized by the Czech Hydrogen Association, continuously expanding connections with local institutions and companies.

The Czech Republic is advancing nuclear power development and the construction of a hydrogen economy. KHNP hopes to use the Czech Republic as a gateway to explore nuclear-based clean hydrogen business for the European market, extending its overseas operations from nuclear power plant construction and operation to hydrogen production and other areas.

Aleš Doucek, Chairman of the Czech Hydrogen Association, expressed hope that the research outcomes will promote the development of a clean hydrogen production demonstration project integrated with nuclear power in the Czech Republic. Gong Yong-kun, Head of KHNP's Hydrogen Convergence Division, stated that the company will continue to strengthen cooperation with local Czech institutions to promote the development of a nuclear-based clean hydrogen ecosystem.