Press releases pg. 11

The CEZ Group fund Inven Capital has completed its second investment this year by purchasing a minority stake in Berlin-based Forto, a company providing global full-service digital freight forwarding and supply chain solutions. This year's round of financing lasted several months, and investors entrusted a total of 43 million euros to Forto. The European Investment Bank provided a further 20 million euros. Forto operates in Europe and Asia, has over 2,500 customers.

CEZ Group’s EBITDA reached CZK 50.9 billion for the first three quarters of 2020, rising by 14% year on year. The growth in earnings can be attributed primarily to higher electricity selling prices in the Czech Republic as electricity was pre-sold in the wholesale market over the previous years and safe and stable operation of our nuclear power plants. Net Income reached CZK 13.6 billion, which is the same as last year. After extraordinary non-monetary adjustments, Net Income actually increased by 27% and Adjusted Net Income reached CZK 18.7 billion; this figure is the basis for the company’s dividend policy. A similar growth rate of 28% was recorded with Operating Cash Flow, which rose to CZK 52 billion. CEZ Group expects its EBITDA for the entire year of 2020 to reach CZK 64 billion; the currently estimated overall negative impacts of COVID-19 amount to some CZK 3 billion.

ČEZ Group has reached an agreement to sell its Romanian assets to funds managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (“MIRA”). The assets comprise of seven companies, including electricity distribution networks, energy supply and the Fantanele Cogealac wind park, among others. Transaction documentation was signed today. Closing of the transaction is subject to receiving approval from European antitrust authorities and the Romanian Supreme Council of National Defence.

INVEN CAPITAL, which invests into promising start-ups in the new energy sector, has acquired a minority share in the Swedish company Eliq, using funds from both its investors: CEZ Group and European Investment Bank. The company specialises in developing applications which help energy companies precisely analyse household consumption patterns and subsequently offer customers tailored cost-saving solutions. The co-investor in this EUR 5 million round of investment, alongside Inven Capital, was Contrarian Ventures, which is a VC fund from Lithuania specialising on smart energy investment.