MFDnes reports that the nuclear reactor in Temelin was halted yesterday morning because a regulation system had to be fine-tuned. The reactor was then re-started in the evening. Since more than 1,000 tests must be performed before the reactor is fully activated, more shutdowns can occur, said Temelin’s spokesman Milan Nebesar. Although the news could have some negative impact on the stock, we do not expect the stock to react strongly unless there is an indication of another several-week delay in Temelin’s activation.
Euro weekly magazine informs that E.ON is no longer interested in CEZ privatization due to German anti-nuclear campaign. E.ON indicated last week that it would participate in the privatization only if Temelin is excluded from the privatized asset. We also expected that it could form a consortium with a partner interested in nuclear power plants; since the second option seems increasingly less likely, the news is slightly negative.
Separately, the Czech Press Agency informs that a privatization assistant should sign a contract with the National Property Fund this week.
(Jiri Soustruznik)