The Commission opens a detailed investigation into state aid for two new nuclear units in the Czech Republic

The EU executive is analyzing the compatibility of the planned public support for the Dukovany nuclear power plant with state aid rules. Brussels, December 22, 2025 – The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether the public support that the Czech Republic intends to grant for the construction and operation of two new nuclear units at Dukovany is compatible with EU state aid rules.

In brief The Commission has opened an in-depth investigation regarding nuclear support in the Czech Republic.

The project aims to build two new units at Dukovany, scheduled for 2036–2037.

The support includes a state loan, a 40-year CfD, and a protection mechanism.

The value of the loan is estimated between 23 and 30 billion euros.

The investigation analyzes compatibility with EU state aid rules.

The two units are scheduled to come into operation in 2036 and 2037 and aim to enhance the security of electricity supply for both the Czech Republic and neighboring countries, while also contributing to the decarbonization of the energy sector and diversifying the national energy mix.

According to the Commission, the Czech authorities intend to support the project through three main instruments: a repayable state loan with a reduced interest rate, initially estimated between 23 and 30 billion euros, which would cover the total construction costs; a bilateral contract for difference (CfD), proposed for a duration of 40 years, intended to ensure stable revenues for the nuclear power plant; and a protection mechanism against changes in public policy, designed to mitigate risks associated with long-term exposure to changes in the regulatory framework.

In the preliminary assessment, the Commission considers that the project is necessary and that the planned support can facilitate the development of economic activity. However, the EU Executive has expressed doubts about the full compatibility of the proposed measures with EU state aid rules, which is why it decided to initiate the in-depth investigation procedure.

The opening of the investigation provides the Czech Republic and interested third parties the opportunity to submit observations to the Commission. This procedural step does not anticipate the final outcome of the assessment.

In-depth investigations regarding state aid are opened by the European Commission when there are serious doubts about the compatibility of public support with the EU internal market. In the field of nuclear energy, such assessments are particularly sensitive, considering the investment dimension, the very long duration of projects, and their impact on competition and the energy market.