A regional Czech court on Tuesday issued a “pre‑emptive ruling” preventing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) from signing contracts for two South Korean–built reactors at the Dukovany nuclear plant, following a lawsuit from rival bidder EDF. KHNP had been set to finalize its $18 billion deal this week after outbidding France’s EDF and the US’s Westinghouse last year.
EDF appealed to the Czech antitrust watchdog but lost, prompting it to file suit to block the contract. The court’s injunction now bars KHNP part of state‑owned KEPCO from formalizing the deal until EDF’s complaint is decided. EDF, citing concerns over competitive precedent, says the ruling allows time to assess possible rights infringements and has intensified parallel proceedings under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated his government “remains convinced the bid process was conducted correctly.” KHNP argues its offer estimated at $3,571 per kilowatt in 2021 was substantially cheaper than French and US rivals. The Dukovany plant currently provides around 40 percent of the Czech Republic’s electricity, and the new reactors are intended to secure future energy supplies and boost local jobs. EDF, whose European projects have faced delays and overruns, has warned that the Czech outcome could influence its ability to compete for forthcoming bids in Finland, Sweden and the UK.
