Brussels had asked the Czech government to pause a $18bn purchase of two nuclear reactors, citing a “significant” risk that the South Korean company that was set to win the contract had received unfair state support.

The European Commission made the request this month just days before a Czech court halted the contract after a challenge from rival bidder, French nuclear company EDF. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a subsidiary of state-run Kepco, was on the verge of beating EDF and Westinghouse of the US.

The commission asked Prague to pause the acquisition of two reactors for the Dukovany nuclear plant pending a decision under the bloc’s foreign subsidies regulation, which is designed to protect EU companies from heavily subsidised foreign competitors.