European Commission asks Czech Republic to delay signing nuclear deal with S.Korean firm

ATHENS

The European Commission has asked the Czech Republic to delay signing a deal with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for the construction of two new reactors at the Dukovany nuclear power plant, Czech media reported on Monday.

The commission asked the deal with the South Korean firm to be put on hold as it is investigating whether KHNP received foreign subsidies that may distort the EU market, according to public broadcaster Radio Prague.

EC Vice President Stephane Sejourne sent the request in a letter to Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek, it added.

Commenting on the development, the head of CEZ group, the Czech public utility company operating the Dukovany nuclear power plant, accused French energy company EDF, which lost the tender to the South Korean firm, of trying to undermine expansion of the group.

In July 2024, KNHP beat the French firm in a tender to build two new reactors at the Dukovany power plant for over $17.3 billion.

EDF appealed the decision at the Czech Office for the Protection of Economic Competition, which eventually dismissed its case this April.

On April 29, however, a regional court in Brno blocked the signing of the final contract with a preliminary injunction at EDF’s request.