Press releases pg. 7

CEZ has negotiated another sustainability-linked loan – its third already – connected to ESG rating. The credit line provided by the CaixaBank branch operating in the Polish market amounts to CZK 2.5 billion. As in the case of the two previous credit agreements, if CEZ meets its decarbonisation commitments in the coming years, it will obtain a more favourable interest rate at draw-down, whereas if its ESG parameters deteriorate, its interest rate will jump up. In total, CEZ can draw up to CZK 13.5 bn from all three loans linked to ESG. In terms of sustainability, CEZ Group is currently among the top 13% best-rated publicly traded companies in the world.

ČEZ offices are switching to clean energy. In 12 locations across the Czech Republic, up to 3,700 photovoltaic panels will be built on the roofs of office buildings or in close proximity to them over the next two years. ČEZ is still examining another twenty buildings in terms of suitability for installation. The photovoltaics will be supplied and operated by the subsidiary ČEZ ESCO. Starting this year, ČEZ has been covering the remaining office consumption with emission-free energy produced in Czech solar and nuclear power plants. Currently, the ČEZ Group operates 130 MW of photovoltaics in the Czech Republic and wants to build thousands of megawatts by 2030 as part of its Clean Energy of Tomorrow strategy.

*Ember runs pro-customer intercity electric bus service in Scotland and is building its own charging network connected primarily to renewable sources
*Their unique technological platform effectively optimizes routing, recharging, maintenance, and customer service
*Ember started in 2020 with 2 electric buses between Edinburgh and Dundee, now they service over 20 towns with 24 vehicles
*CEZ Group will strengthen its expertise in low-carbon public transportation
*Transport produces approx. 20% of the world's CO2 emissions, almost half of which is passenger transport by road
CEZ Group's investment fund Inven Capital is expanding its portfolio of investments with the British start-up Ember, that takes a complex approach to ensuring emission-free intercity transport service. They combine ecological vehicles, on the development of which they actively cooperate with manufacturers, with their own charging infrastructure powered primarily by renewable resources, and unique tech platform, which optimizes routes, charging and vehicle utilization. Ember is not only looking to grow the fleet of all-electric buses connecting the cities of Edinburgh, Perth, Glasgow and Dundee, but is also considering expanding to other areas. In the investment round co-led by Inven Capital, Ember raised 11 million GBP from investors for further development.

ČEZ Group announces the acquisition of a 55.21% stake in GasNet, the leading gas distribution infrastructure operator based in the Czech Republic. Natural gas, and later also hydrogen, will play a key role in the future development of the Czech economy. Through this acquisition, ČEZ Group is securing a strategic position in the transformation of the Czech heat generation industry and its transition away from coal-powered energy generation towards the natural gas and later hydrogen. The ownership stake being sold is currently managed by Macquarie Asset Management, acting on behalf of managed funds. The completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the European Commission and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.