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Czech guard dog declines appeals in nuclear power tender

The Czech antimonopoly workplace UOHS on Thursday declined appeals by Westinghouse and EDF versus a tender that chose South Korea's KHNP as preferred bidder to build brand-new nuclear power units in the Czech Republic.

UOHS said it had either stopped proceedings in some appeals or rejected propositions brought by U.S. group Westinghouse and France's EDF, which had both challenged the tender run by an unit of state-controlled utility CEZ.

UOHS said the parties could still appeal the office's. choices, which were not final.

The Czechs plan to use the brand-new nuclear power systems, together. with small modular reactors and sustainable sources, to replace a. fleet of coal-fired plants in addition to some older nuclear. reactors that are nearing the end of their life-span.

On Wednesday UOHS had put a temporary block on the. conclusion of a contract with KHNP following the difficulties by. Westinghouse and EDF. That block remains in impact up until the. office's choice enters force, UOHS stated on Thursday.

Part of Westinghouse's objections had concentrated on use. of a nationwide security exception that suspended public. procurement guidelines. UOHS said it ended the appeal. proceedings in this matter as the company must have filed. objections immediately after finding out of the treatment more than. 2 years earlier.

Other parts of the appeals were also terminated.

UOHS had started procedures in September. CEZ has said. the appeals would not postpone the tender's timeframe, under which. it seeks to conclude a contract with KHNP by next March.

The task, which is expected to be the country's. largest-ever energy procurement offer, approximates completion of. the very first reactor by 2036.

(source: Reuters)