Press releases pg. 183

The demand for electricity has increased in the period from this January till April by 2.3 % (by 431GWh) compared with the same period in the last year, up to 11,117 GWh, continuing the trend from the first quarter when the demand had increased by 2.3 %. In April alone the demand increased by 2.4 %. The growth of consumption occurred in the first four months in the industry where the annual growth was 6.3 %.

By execution with the Czech Nuclear Pool of insurance policies for Temelin nuclear power plant, the power-generation company CEZ performed on Monday, 5th June, one more of the conditions stipulated for putting the NPP into operation. Liability insurance concerning the operation of the NPP before nuclear fuel is charged in reactors is one of important conditions upon performance of which the State Office for Nuclear Safety may grant, as per the so-called Atomic Act, the license to operate a new nuclear facility, i.e. to operate Temelin nuclear power plant.

Temelin nuclear power plant will be having "Calling Days and Seeing of Generation Unit One" during 19th - 21st May and 26th - 28th May 2000. At present, Temelin NPP is undergoing preliminary tests and revisions of devices. Nuclear fuel will soon be charged in the reactor.

According to Article 15, Paragraph 4 of CEZ Articles of Association, the Board of Directors may appoint (co-opt) substitute members pending the next general meeting providing that the number of its members elected by the general meeting did not drop below a half.