EDF loses legal challenge over Czech NPP contract

French energy giant Électricité de France (EDF) has suffered another setback in its attempt to overturn the Czech Republic’s decision to award a nuclear reactor contract to South Korea’s KHNP. The chairman of the Czech Competition Office has rejected EDF’s appeal after the regulator initially rejected the company’s complaint in October. The ruling clears the way for Czech state-owned utility ČEZ to finalise its contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for the construction of two new units at the Dukovany nuclear power plant (NPP). ČEZ welcomed the decision, saying that its preferred bidder had been selected ‘from the very beginning’ in full compliance with legal and contractual requirements. KHNP was selected following a tender launched in 2022. Construction of the two reactors, estimated to cost around €16 billion, is due to start in 2029, with trial operation expected by 2036. EDF still has the option of challenging the ruling before the Brno Regional Court. It has also asked the European Commission to review the selection of KHNP under the EU’s state aid rules.