The Czech Cabinet yesterday approved a new energy-sector restructuring plan: CEZ will buy the state’s stakes in eight regional distributors (REAS) and will sell to the state 66% of its 100%-owned subsidiary CEPS, the transmission grid operator. The transaction prices are to be determined; should they be near previously mentioned figures (CZK 50 bil.–60 bil for the stakes in REAS, and CZK 25 bil.–30 bil. for the 66% stake in CEPS), the transaction would be adding value to CEZ. Most importantly, ownership of the distributors should help CEZ re-gain domestic market share.
Fuel loading of the second reactor of the Temelin nuclear power plant was completed yesterday morning; the second reactor’s activation will take place in approx. six weeks. Expected.
(Jiri Soustruznik)