Press releases pg. 18

Today, the CEZ Group officially informed the Government of Bulgaria of its intention to initiate international arbitration on the grounds of Bulgaria’s failure to protect its investment unless the current situation is quickly remedied and the damage caused duly compensated. The Group resorted to taking this step after a series of interventions by Bulgarian institutions that damaged the business operations of ČEZ companies in Bulgaria, and further as a result of the critical situation in the local energy market that has as yet failed to show any improvement. The claim amounts to several hundred million EUR.

ČEZ today sent a Statement of Interest to acquire Vattenfall’s German lignite and hydro activities. Offered assets represent an interesting opportunity to expand business of CEZ with a number of synergies. On the contrary CEZ is ready to be a reliable partner for the region with extensive know-how in operation of conventional power plants and of lignite mining.

INVEN CAPITAL, a company founded by the CEZ Group to invest in innovative energy solutions, has invested in Sonnenbatterie, a German company specialized in developing, manufacturing and selling battery based intelligent energy storage systems. Based in Bavaria, the company has developed a unique and reliable solution and has become a global leader in technologies for storing energy from solar panels and other renewable sources of energy for households and commercial clients. INVEN CAPITAL participated in a capital increase and joined Sonnenbatterie alongside with SET Ventures, Munich Venture Partners and eCAPITAL as a financial investor.

Škoda Praha has won, in competition with nine companies, in a tender to select a supplier for a 250 MW block for a coal power plant in Pljevlja, Montenegro. The Czech solution offered the highest efficiency, availability and long-term knowledge in the sector. The value of the contract exceeds CZK 9 billion and will help restore the region's environment in accordance with European regulations.