Press releases pg. 1

ČEZ Group has completed the acquisition of a 55.21% stake in the GasNet Group, the largest gas distribution infrastructure operator in the Czech Republic. Natural gas, and later also hydrogen, will play a key role in the future development of the country’s economy. With this acquisition, ČEZ Group supports the transformation of the heat generation industry and its transition from coal to natural gas and hydrogen. The stake sold was previously managed by Macquarie Asset Management, acting on behalf of the funds it manages. The transaction has already been approved by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Commission.

After the government decided on the preferred contractor for the construction of two new nuclear units at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, it is now taking another step forward, to secure a sufficient supply of electricity at affordable prices for future generations. The security agreement approved by the government will make it possible to secure the state’s security interests, by selecting a future partner for the development and construction of modular reactors in the Czech Republic. This document, required by the Low Carbon Act, precedes the selection of the contractor proper.

CEZ Group received gold medal from the international rating company EcoVadis, for the integration of the principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility into business and management system. Only 62 companies in the world can currently boast a gold medal in the category of energy suppliers. Increasing number of globally operating companies require rating from EcoVadis from their suppliers, as a guarantee of their sustainable approach to business.

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached CZK 69.2 bn in the first half of the year, an increase of CZK 6.8 bn year-on-year. Net Profit reached CZK 21.1 bn, down CZK 1.2 bn year-on-year. The increase in EBITDA is mainly due to the end of the obligation to pay levies on excess revenues from generation in the Czech Republic, which burdened the costs of the first half of last year by CZK 11.1 bn. On the other hand, the main negative factors include lower profits from commodity trading and the impact of different nuclear unit outage schedules. CEZ Group raised its 2024 full-year EBITDA outlook to CZK 118 to 122 bn and confirmed its expected Net Profit, adjusted, of CZK 25 to 30 bn.