Czech grid operator ČEPS prepares to assess coal plant closures and security of supply

ČEPS, the operator of the Czech electricity transmission system, is preparing analytical methods and processes to assess the potential impacts of coal-fired power plant closures in Czechia. In particular, it will assess the impact of shutting down power plants on the security of electricity or heat supplies in the Czech Republic. It will begin the analysis only after receiving official notice that the coal-fired power plants are to close. The company has not yet received such notice from energy group Sev.en. ČEPS spokesperson Lukáš Hrabal told the Czech News Agency (ČTK).

Sev.en, owned by businessman Pavel Tykač, announced today that it plans to shut down the Počerady and Chvaletice coal-fired power plants, as well as the power plant and heating plant in Kladno, in December 2026 or, at the latest, in March 2027. “Sev.en informed ČEPS about its economic assessment of the operation of these power plants and did not rule out the possibility of closing them, but it has not officially informed us that operations will end,” Hrabal said shortly after noon today.

He said that the assessment of whether these power plants are needed to operate the Czech electricity system would be based on several criteria. “In addition to the impact on generation adequacy and the provision of balancing services, we also assess grid conditions for the secure operation of the transmission and distribution systems,” Hrabal explained.