European Parliament accepted a resolution that calls for the European Commission to “consider Temelin’s shutdown” and to organize an international conference on the issue (reportedly, the conference would consider the cost of Temelin’s shutdown). Czech diplomats claim that the European Commission is being asked to consider something it is probably not entitled to do CEZ and the Ministry of Industry said the declaration is solely political.
Although the news is negative for CEZ, because it suggests that more parties are going to be engaged in the dispute over Temelin, it is far from clear how, given the worst-case scenario for Temelin, the EU could force CEZ to close the plant apart from linking the issue with the Czech Republic’s entry to the EU.
Dow Jones Newswire reports that the German utility RWE will not bid for CEZ as CEZ’s privatization is structured to include the company’s nuclear assets. The agency also reports that E.ON of Germany will form a consortium with the UK International Power and British Energy toward CEZ privatization. Neutral to marginally positive.
As a part of the testing procedure at Temelin, the plant’s first reactor will be shut down for several days, the local Pravo reports. After the current series of tests, performed while the reactor runs at 55% capacity, 75%-capacity tests will follow. Neutral.
CEZ announced that it will offer several electricity packages to its customers in light of domestic market liberalization set to begin next year. Positive, though the stock unlikely to react.
(Jiří Soustružník)