Regarding the temporary suspension of the nuclear power plant contract with South Korea due to the Czech competition authority accepting objections from competitors, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the party involved, stated that "contract negotiations are proceeding without any setbacks."
On the 30th, KHNP explained, "The Czech competition authority (Office for the Protection of Competition) took preliminary measures according to standard procedures because a complaint was filed," adding, "This is unrelated to how the Czech competition authority will decide on the review of the competitors' complaints in the future."
KHNP further stated, "Contract negotiations between KHNP and the client will proceed smoothly according to the previously established procedures and schedule, aiming to conclude the contract by March 2025, regardless of the Czech competition authority's preliminary injunction," and added, "KHNP and Team Korea plan to maintain close communication and cooperation with the Czech side, including providing detailed explanations of our position if requested by the Czech authorities."
On the same day, major foreign media reported that the Czech antitrust authority temporarily suspended the contract for the new nuclear power plant construction project between the Czech government and KHNP.
According to foreign media reports, a representative of the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS) said, "We proactively made the decision after accepting objections from EDF (?lectricit? de France) and Westinghouse," adding, "This does not indicate how the issue will ultimately be decided." The Czech utility company CEZ, which commissioned the project, stated, "We are confident that we complied with relevant laws from the time of selecting the preferred bidder."
In July, the Czech government selected KHNP as the preferred bidder for the additional construction of the Dukovany nuclear power plant and agreed to finalize the contract by March next year. The U.S. companies Westinghouse and EDF, which lost in the bidding competition, filed objections with the Czech antitrust authority after KHNP was selected as the preferred bidder.
Westinghouse claimed that KHNP used reactor design technology patented by Westinghouse and argued that no third party can use this technology without their permission.
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