The signing of a final contract between South Korea’s Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) and Czech electricity firm CEZ to build a new nuclear power plant has been put on hold.

On Wednesday, CEZ held a press conference following a court decision blocking contract conclusion. Its Chief Executive Officer Daniel Benes said that CEZ will appeal against the court injunction preventing it from signing the $18 billion deal with the KHNP.

France’s EDF filed a complaint against the Czech competition regulator UOHS last week after UOHS rejected its appeal over a tender to pick a supplier for two nuclear reactors.

The injunction prevents CEZ from signing the final agreement with KHNP, the preferred bidder. The Korean government says the contract remains intact, but Czech officials and industry sources have signaled a several-month delay.

“The nuclear supplier will be responsible for building and operating the plant over the next 60 to 80 years; this is a 100-year relationship,” Benes said at a press conference in Prague. “KHNP submitted the most outstanding proposal in all aspects.”

CEZ used a national security exemption for standard tender procedures in the tender process, citing public procurement law, a move previously accepted by EDF. However, following KHNP’s selection, EDF challenged the process in court.

CEZ criticized EDF‘s claim, citing cost overruns and delays.

“EDF projects have frequently doubled in cost and been found lacking in timely delivery by France’s audit office,” Benes said.

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