Czech tender for new nuclear power plant hits new hurdle over security -CTK news agency

KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co

09/12/2020 12:10

PRAGUE, Dec 9 (Reuters) - A long-prepared Czech tender to
build a new nuclear power plant will be delayed as politicians
discuss whether to allow Chinese and Russian bidders into the
process due to security concerns, Industry and Trade Minister
Karel Havlicek was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
    Havlicek said after a meeting of a state commission on
nuclear power expansion that the tender would not be opened by
the end of the year as planned and further discussions would
take place in January, CTK news agency reported.
    He said four options were being discussed: allowing Chinese
and Russian bidders in; allowing them in only as junior members
of wider consortia, which he said was his preferred option; not
allowing them in; or delaying the process until after an
election due in October 2021.
       

 (Reporting by Jan Lopatka)
 ((jan.lopatka@thomsonreuters.com; +420 234 721 614; Reuters
Messaging: jan.lopatka.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))