Czech ČEZ completes acquisition of gas distributor Gas Distribution from E.ON

Energy group ČEZ has completed the acquisition of the entire stake in distribution company Gas Distribution. The company bought the operator of the gas distribution network in southern Bohemia and part of the Vysočina region from E.ON. ČEZ will now distribute gas throughout Czechia except Prague. In 2024, ČEZ bought gas distributor GasNet. The company plans to merge GasNet and Gas Distribution next year. ČEZ told CTK today. The companies did not disclose the acquisition price.

Gas Distribution manages a network of 4,600 kilometres of gas pipelines with a total of 111,000 supply points. In 2024, the company distributed 2.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of gas. The GasNet group, which ČEZ has owned since 2024, covers 65,000 kilometres of gas pipelines and serves around 2.2 million supply points. It is therefore the largest gas distributor in the Czech Republic. Last year, it distributed more than 63 TWh of gas. Gas distribution in Prague is provided by Pražská plynárenská.

Until Gas Distribution is fully integrated into the GasNet group, it will continue to operate as a separate company under its existing brand during a transitional period. According to ČEZ, nothing is changing for customers or partners for now. All concluded contracts, as well as the company's identification and payment details, therefore remain valid.

According to the company, the reason for ČEZ expanding its position in the gas market is the future role of gas in ensuring the Czech Republic's energy security. "It will play a crucial role in the modernisation of the district heating sector and in ensuring stable electricity supplies after coal-fired power plants cease operation. By acquiring Gas Distribution, ČEZ is further strengthening its position in gas infrastructure, which, alongside gas distribution company GasNet, includes capacity at existing and planned LNG terminals as well as gas-fired and combined-cycle facilities for electricity and heat generation," said ČEZ chairman of the board and chief executive Daniel Beneš.

ČEZ acquired Gas Distribution through its subsidiary GasNet. "We can now focus on integrating the company and its employees into GasNet. Gas Distribution has a team of qualified experts and specialists, and we will need their capabilities as we modernise the Czech energy sector," said GasNet chief executive Andrzej Martynek.

ČEZ is one of the largest energy companies in Czechia. The state is its majority shareholder, holding around 70 percent of its shares through the Ministry of Finance. ČEZ earned Kč21.5 billion in the first three quarters of last year, with the group's net profit falling by around 6.5 percent year on year. The company is expected to publish its full-year 2025 results in March.