Czech distributors to invest CZK 30bn in power grids this year, same as last year

Distributors in Czechia will spend more than CZK 30 billion on investments in electricity grids this year. This will be a similar amount to last year. The money will be spent mainly on strengthening the grids and developing cross-border interconnections, refurbishing and building infrastructure, and connecting new sources. This is according to information from distribution companies. The firms plan to increase investment in the coming years.

The largest electricity distributor in Czechia is ČEZ Distribuce, which provides electricity distribution to 3.7 million customers. It will invest CZK 19.2 billion in the grids this year, a similar amount to last year.

„We are continuously carrying out investment projects to develop, renew and strengthen the distribution system so that we can connect our customers’ requests, especially renewable electricity sources. This year, we also expect to receive more applications to connect battery storage facilities, and a significant amount will also go towards digitising our distribution grid,“ said ČEZ Distribuce CEO Martin Zmelík.

The company’s largest planned projects this year include the complete renewal and reinforcement of the power line between the Ostrov substation near Karlovy Vary and the Vřesová substation, at a cost of almost half a billion crowns; the construction of a new substation on the southwestern outskirts of Plzeň, costing CZK 272 million; and the completion of the renewal of the substation in Havlíčkův Brod, which cost CZK 244 million.

The second-largest electricity distributor in Czechia is EG.D, which provides distribution services in the South Bohemian and South Moravian regions, as well as in the Vysočina Region and parts of the Zlín and Olomouc regions. This year, the company plans to spend CZK 8.9 billion on developing the grid, the same amount as last year. According to the company, a large share of the investment will go towards strengthening the grid, particularly to improve its reliability and connect new sources.

EG.D’s main investments will include reinforcing power lines in border areas and strategic projects at the very high-voltage level. For example, work will continue on laying power lines in the border area around the confluence of the Dyje and Morava rivers, with work scheduled for this autumn.

Pražská energetika operates the electricity distribution network in the capital. „In recent years, we have invested more than CZK 2.5 billion in our distribution grid every year, and this year will be no different, as we will once again increase the grid’s capacity,“ said PRE spokesperson Karel Hanzelka.

According to him, the company will focus primarily on strengthening high- and low-voltage cable networks, developing optical infrastructure, and installing remotely controlled and monitored distribution substations. PRE is also preparing investments that are important for the expanding metropolis.

According to grid operators, investment in electricity systems will need to increase in the coming years. In the future, they expect investment needs of up to CZK 40 billion a year. This is due to growing demands on grid development and management.