Prague launched the tender worth billions of dollars in 2022 for one new reactor.

But it later launched bids for four new units at the Soviet-built Temelin and Dukovany power stations, two for each.

"We will now evaluate the bids and... submit a report to the... government for final approval," said CEZ board member Tomas Pleskac.

The contracts should be ready for signing by the end of next March, CEZ said, adding that the first reactor is due to be launched in 2036.

CEZ currently runs six nuclear units at the two plants located in the south of the country, which last year accounted for about 40 percent of national electricity output.

The Czech government aims to raise energy production significantly while phasing out high-emission and obsolete units.

The government earlier eliminated US giant Westinghouse from the tender over flaws in its offer and Russia's Rosatom and China's CGN on security concerns.

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