The commercial launch of the Temelin nuclear plant’s first block is likely to be delayed by one month, expected now to take place in June rather than May. Frantisek Hezoucky, the director of the plant, made this statement yesterday evening. The delay may be due to unanticipated vibrations in pipes leading to one of the 1,000 MW turbines in the non-nuclear part of the plant. After the recent speculation, the de facto confirmation of the month's delay may be seen as negative for CEZ stock today, as (i) cash-flow generation by the plant will be delayed, and (ii) there is a risk of market disappointment at the postponement of the long-awaited commercial launch of the controversial plant. On the other hand, one month is not a dramatic delay, and the impact on stock should not be great.
(Ondřej Daťka)