Czech Republic: COVID-19 & Your Global Renewables Supply Chain - 10 Step Guide

Whilst we note that Chinese factories are now at various stages of restarting and ramping back up capacity, production across the rest of the globe is currently being hindered and disrupted. Examples of the practical impacts COVID-19 is having in the renewables sector supply chain are:

• Imports/Exports stopped - countries are enacting different measures concerning import of goods and services from COVID-19 high risk countries. The European Commission has allowed each Member State to adopt measures (proportionate and not prejudicial) aimed at safeguarding the health of its citizens and to prevent the spread of the virus COVID-19.
• Factories and test facilities closing/reducing output – countries are adopting differing approaches as to whether or not production must halt, which precaution measures needs to be taken (e.g. distance regulations for workers), and this is changing almost daily.
• Reduced workforce – employees not coming to work due to self-isolation, sickness or fear of risks.
• Travel bans – many countries have closed borders. Certain work in the sector (such as transport (on- and offshore), specialist installation or operation and maintenance) may require overseas-based specialists who are unable to get to the location of work due to travel restrictions.

Renewables is also a sector packed with tight contractual deadlines and contractual penalties ("smluvní pokuta") for delay. Some project developers as well as utilities/generators need to grant a relief to their EPC and O&M Contractors, having no or little chance to mitigate the loss or damages. There are also often deployment deadlines in countries’ auction systems.

The above all means that customers and suppliers are keen to understand their liabilities under their contracts should COVID-19 cause delay, and to work collaboratively to find solutions. Of particular interest is which remedies a party may rely on in case of COVID-19 (such as suspension, termination or entitlement to re-negotiation).

This note looks at how Czech contract law on force majeure (and related institutes) applies to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights other contractual hints and tips that both customers and suppliers should be aware of.