PRAGUE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The Czech state should control construction of new nuclear capacity so it can halt the proposed expansion if power prices fail to rise enough to support to the project, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Thursday.
Babis said there would be a tender to pick a supplier for a project to expand reactors operated by majority state-owned utility CEZ CEZP.PR . Firms from countries including Russia, China and the United States are all set to vie for the work.
He did not say when the state might launch the tender.
"The basic aim of the state should be to take control of construction of new nuclear capacity," Babis said. "The state would get such control by signing a contract with CEZ on construction."
"It is simpler and more favourable for customers than state guarantees which would in fact amount to a blank check," he said.
The government and electricity producer CEZ, which is 70 percent owned by the state, have been locked in debate over how to finance construction of new nuclear units.