The Czech competition authority concluded that there were no issues with the selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the preferred bidder for the construction of the nuclear power plant.
According to Reuters on 24th (local time), the Czech antimonopoly office (UOHS) announced that it will reject the appeal made by Electricité de France (EDF) questioning the selection process. UOHS also lifted a temporary measure that had suspended contract signing during the objection process.
As a result, the likelihood of a final contract for the nuclear power construction between KHNP and the Czech government being signed soon has increased. Both sides initially planned to finalize the contract by March of this year, but it was delayed due to the competition authority's review and the contract suspension measures.
EDF, KHNP's competitor, and the American company Westinghouse filed complaints with the competition authority, claiming the inability to execute the contract and issues with the Czech public procurement bidding process after being eliminated from the selection of the preferred bidder in July of last year.
UOHS rejected all claims from these companies in November of last year, citing that the objection deadline had passed or that they lacked authority. Both companies appealed, but Westinghouse is reported to have withdrawn its appeal after agreeing in January to suspend the intellectual property dispute with KHNP.
The Czech government is negotiating with KHNP to build two new nuclear power plants at the existing Dukovany nuclear power complex. It has been reported that an option to grant KHNP the right of first negotiation was also provided if the plan to add two units at the Temelin nuclear plant is confirmed.
The Czech Republic proposed a project cost of 400 billion koruna (about 26.2 trillion won) for the two units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant. The consortium led by KHNP includes Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) subsidiaries KEPCO E&C, KEPCO KPS, and the private companies Doosan Enerbility and Daewoo E&C.