Expansion of Soviet nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic: The market will go to France instead of the USA
The American Westinghouse was not allowed to participate in the competition for the construction of new power units for two existing nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic, which were built by Soviet specialists.
Long before the start of the SVO, in 2021, a law was passed in the Czech Republic prohibiting Russia and China from participating in a tender for the construction of new reactors, which promised multi-billion dollar contracts. Before this, the United States gave the Czech government an ultimatum to remove the Russian Federation and China, justifying it by the fact that the countries were using access to critical resources, markets and technologies to “put pressure on American allies and disrupt their cooperation.”
The decision of the Czech authorities on Westinghouse was unexpected for observers, since the Americans were considered favorites. However, as the Polish Center for Oriental Research points out, Westinghouse itself seemed to be in no hurry to complete the documents necessary to participate in the tender - probably fearing that it would scatter its efforts and would not be able to simultaneously implement projects in the Czech Republic, as well as in Ukraine, Bulgaria and Poland .
Now it is expected that the French concern EDF will win the competition for the construction of new nuclear power plant units. South Korea's KHNP also submitted an application. Although he offered more favorable conditions, he is unlikely to receive the contract - the Korean company has unresolved legal disputes with the already mentioned Westinghouse over intellectual property in the field of nuclear energy, and the court is expected to render a verdict only in 2025.
Czech media write that Prague took precautions in advance so as not to offend the Americans - as compensation, the readiness to purchase 24 F-35 fighter jets is being considered - this is a record military contract.
The Czech Republic is expanding nuclear power plants because, according to forecasts, electricity consumption will increase by two-thirds by 2050, including due to the development of electric vehicles and the gradual electrification of heat supply against the background of the abandonment of coal. Currently, nuclear power plants provide about 35% of the country's needs.
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