CEZ Holds Production Record

Last year, the production of electricity in CEZ increased by more than 11 per cent in comparison with 1999 and, with the value of 50 842 GWh, represented a record performance since the foundation of CEZ in 1992. It is the extended electric power export that can be found behind this increase, by means of which a compensation of 8.5 per cent fall in electricity sales to domestic customers could be managed. Thanks to higher electricity production, CEZ was able to buy more coal from mining companies, by this also helping create an additional time space for restructuring of these businesses. In comparison with 25 mil. T in 1999, last year CEZ purchased roughly 30 mil. T of bituminous coal.

"It is our priority for this year to get concentrated on the domestic market and to boost our share in it, while in 1992 the share had still been more than 80 per cent. With respect to the new tariff structure of prices valid among us and the distributors, this bringing an end to the years-lasting discrimination of CEZ, we believe that our lower prices in comparison to competition will enable us to make our market share more promising."

Export of electricity, also reliant to CEZ success on domestic market, will remain on an approximately same level with regard to last year but shall rather move below that level. CEZ does not calculate with any further increase of electric power exports.

Higher electricity production appeared mainly in coal fired power stations of CEZ with an annual intermediate increase of production by more than 15 per cent. It was also the nuclear power plant Dukovany that completed a record in performance within its 15-years' history. Nearly a double extend of production came true in wind power stations of CEZ as well, representing a beginning of valorization of up-to-day operational experience with these sources under existing geographic conditions, this aimed at the most valuable way of operation.

Power Stations	Production (GWh)	Index 2000/1999
Desulfurized fossil	35 694	115,6
Hydro	1 558	105,4
Nuclear	13 590	101,7
Wind	0,4	191,1
Celkem	50 842	111,2

Export and import of electricity realized by CEZ in 2000
Operation	GWh	Index 2000/1999
Export	12 429	220,3
Import	814	83,2

CEZ Electricity sales at Czech Republic
Sold to	GWh	Index 2000/1999
REAS (regional distribution)	36 565	90,3
CEPS (cover losses in transm. grid)	736
Other	93
Celkem	37 394	91,5

The total electricity sales amounted to 49 823 GWh with an annual intermediate increase by 7 per cent in comparison with 46 569 GWh in 1999. While comparing these numbers, it is necessary to take in account that there were no sales of electricity to CEPS for covering system losses throughout the whole year 1999 but only after outsourcing of this company in 1.8.1999. That is why the actual sales increase showed a lower value of 7 per cent.

Ladislav Krizpress, spokesman of CEZ

17. 1. 2001