Press releases pg. 69

ČEZ IS ONE OF A FEW LARGE ENERGY COMPANIES THAT IS STILL MAKING MONEY. BUT ITS PROFIT IS DECLINING TOO, AS THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY DECLINES. THE MAIN REASONS ARE THE LOW PRICES OF COMMODITIES, ESPECIALLY OIL, AND THE SITUATION WITH SUBSIDIZED ENERGY SOURCES. THESE ARE REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES, SAYS DANIEL BENEŠ. (Interview for Hospodarske noviny)

After thoroughly assessing all the related opportunities and risks, ČEZ decided not to submit a binding offer to buy Vattenfall’s German assets. The company is however prepared to further discuss other possible options and terms of the acquisition.

Net income adjusted for extraordinary effects was CZK 27.7bn in 2015, which exceeds original expectations by more than CZK 700m despite a further decrease in the realization prices of generated electricity and lower production in nuclear power plants. A positive effect was derived especially from the refund of a portion of tax on emission allowances from 2011 and 2012 and a successfully implemented program of savings and pro-growth measures. CEZ Group managed to cut fixed costs by CZK 3bn while increasing total revenues to CZK 210bn, primarily thanks to increased sales of electricity, gas, and heat to end customers.

ČEZ today submitted a non-binding offer to acquire Vattenfall’s German lignite and hydro activities. These assets represent an interesting opportunity to expand business of CEZ in a neighboring region. In Europe where coal is still crucial for the overall energy supply, CEZ has extensive know-how in operation of conventional power plants and of lignite mining, as a bridge technology to more renewable energy sources.