CEZ Distribuce to invest Kc13.5bn in networks this yr

Prague, June 9 (CTK) - Czech power utility CEZ's distribution arm CEZ Distribuce will invest Kc13.5bn in its power grids this year, Kc1bn more than last year, spokeswoman Sona Holingerova has told CTK.

Other power distributors in Czechia, PREdistribuce and EG.D., are investing in their transmission grids as well.

Since its establishment in 2005, CEZ Distribuce has invested over Kc135bn in its networks. For 2020-2025, its investments are planned at Kc83bn in total.

"The distribution network has to be prepared as soon as possible for the increasing requirements for connection of renewable sources, growth of electromobility and power accumulation," CEZ Distribuce CEO Martin Zmelik said.

CEZ Distribuce also continues developing optical infrastructure, supporting decentralised energy, Zmelik said.

CEZ Distribuce's investments go into remotely controlled elements, distribution system monitoring, voltage control and regulation systems and development of smart electrometers (Automated Meter Management, AMM).

The company plans to install about 800,000 smart meters in 2024-2027.

CEZ Distribuce aims to build 6,800 km of optical telecommunication networks by 2025 and another 4,200 km by 2030, Holingerova said.

CEZ Distribuce covers two-thirds of the Czech Republic's territory.

EG.D (formerly E.ON Distribuce) plans to invest Kc4.8bn in its distribution networks this year, which is about Kc200m more than last year, the firm's investments head Ladislav Mikulas told CTK.

"We expect an even bigger increase (in these investments) in the forthcoming years, as we want to focus more on the renewal and extension of high and low voltage networks, including the building of smart networks to support the development of renewable sources and electromobility," Mikulas said.

Prague-based PREdistribuce is going to invest Kc1.7bn in its networks this year, a similar amount as in previous years, spokesman Petr Holubec said.

Nearly one-third of these investments are strategic projects aimed at the renewal and development of backbone energy networks, he said.

tam/er