France's Électricité de France (EDF) has delivered a letter of protest to the European Commission (EC) after failing to secure a contract in the Czech Dukovany nuclear power plant bidding competition. This is interpreted as a direct expression of dissatisfaction aimed at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), which is a non-European country, as the final contract for the project to build two nuclear reactors in the Czech Dukovany region is imminent.
On the 5th (local time), the European media outlet Euractiv reported that EDF sent a letter of protest to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (EU). The key point is that if a bid is awarded for nuclear power plants in Europe, the bidding conditions must be disclosed transparently and assessed fairly. Particularly, if a non-European country participates in the bidding, it must also reveal in detail how much subsidies the respective government provides.
EDF has consistently raised suspicions that the Korean government provided subsidies to KHNP. KHNP has repeatedly stated that it did not receive any subsidies or promises regarding subsidies that could influence the bidding results.
With expectations for nuclear power construction in several European countries, including Sweden, Slovenia, and Poland, EDF appears to be raising these protests to consider future bids. EDF predicts that due to strict nuclear-related laws and labor market regulations in the Czech Republic, a 'Team Korea' led by KHNP will not be able to complete the nuclear power plant on time and within budget. However, if things proceed smoothly, EDF's position in the European nuclear bidding competition could significantly diminish.
KHNP is set to finalize a contract with ČEZ, the Czech electricity company, for the Dukovany nuclear power plant this month. In July of last year, KHNP was selected as the preferred negotiator, beating out EDF and the U.S. company Westinghouse. Although EDF and Westinghouse immediately filed objections with the Czech Anti-Monopoly Office (UOHS), their appeals were dismissed. Afterward, Westinghouse had discussions with KHNP, but EDF has continuously protested to the European Union and Czech authorities.