"Cancel the Injunction Prohibiting Nuclear Power Plant Contract"... KHNP Also Appeals to Czech Court

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has filed an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court, contesting a local court's decision in the Czech Republic to temporarily prohibit the signing of a contract for new nuclear power plant construction.

A view of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant in the Czech Republic, where Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has secured a contract for new nuclear power plant construction. Photo by AP

According to the nuclear power industry on May 21, KHNP submitted an appeal to the Czech Supreme Administrative Court on May 20 (local time).

Previously, on May 6 (local time), just one day before the contract signing ceremony, the Brno District Court in the Czech Republic issued a provisional injunction prohibiting the signing of the contract between KHNP and EDUII until a final ruling is made in the administrative lawsuit filed by Electricite de France (EDF), which was eliminated from the bidding competition.

Following this, Dukovany II Nuclear Power Plant (EDUII), the ordering party for the new nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic, also filed an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court on May 19. Now, KHNP, as a direct party to the contract, has also initiated separate legal action.

Industry experts believe that the Supreme Administrative Court is likely to review the case swiftly and reach a conclusion. This is because the construction of two new reactors at Dukovany is a major national project, making the issue highly significant, and if the project is delayed for an extended period, losses could amount to several hundred billion won.

If the Supreme Administrative Court rules in favor of EDUII, the Czech electricity authorities and KHNP would be able to significantly reduce the duration of the legal dispute, rather than waiting for the district court that granted the provisional injunction to issue a final ruling on the case.

The Czech government is focusing on minimizing project delays by taking steps such as pre-approving the contract for two new reactors between CEZ and KHNP, so that the contract can be signed as soon as the district court's provisional injunction is lifted.