ANO programme follows Czech energy policy direction, but is more radical in some areas

Based on negotiations to date, ANO is expected to take charge of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), and the movement wants to incorporate its election programme into the government's policy statement. The energy section of the programme overlaps in most respects with the measures taken so far by Petr Fiala's cabinet and state institutions. A more pronounced difference concerns ETS 2 and regulated electricity charges, where ANO advocates a more radical approach: it questions the introduction of ETS 2 and proposes potentially higher subsidies for the regulated component of electricity prices.

The ANO movement won this year's parliamentary elections and declared its ambition to turn its election programme into the government's policy statement. Current discussions indicate that the Ministry of Industry and Trade should go to ANO. The movement could therefore have a significant influence on Czech energy policy in the coming years.

ANO has 9 policy points for the energy sector, which largely align with the existing efforts of the previous government.

Nationalisation of ČEZ

Like the previous government coalition of SPOLU, the Pirates and Mayors and Independents, ANO aims to nationalise the ČEZ Group.

“We will secure 100% state control of the ČEZ Group,” the ANO programme states.

With this ambition, the movement follows on from steps taken by the previous government, which sought to amend the law through the so-called “lex ČEZ”. Lex ČEZ aimed to lower the voting threshold for a division of a joint-stock company to 75% of shareholders present and enable the separation of part of ČEZ.

Fair regulated electricity prices

The victorious ANO declares its ambition to reduce prices for the regulated component of electricity so that Czech “households and businesses [do not pay] more than in neighbouring countries”. The aim is in particular greater state involvement in covering system costs.

“Payments for regulated components will be fairly redistributed between the state and customers, while European funds, including the Modernisation Fund, will be used to cover grid costs.”

Subsidies for the regulated component of electricity prices have previously been approved, for example, by the German cabinet, which allocated €1.3 billion to reduce it for end customers.

The ambition to use funds from the Modernisation Fund follows on from the already launched ELEGRID programme to cover the costs of modernising and developing the electricity system.

Emissions allowances

ANO states that it will oppose the emissions allowance system and seek its revision. Its election programme is even more forceful regarding the introduction of emissions allowances for households and transport:

“In the case of ETS 2 emissions allowances for households and transport, we are prepared not to incorporate this system into Czech legislation.”

ANO's programme and its declared readiness not to implement ETS 2 are considerably more radical than the stance of Petr Fiala's government, which sought changes to the system at European level and a postponement of its entry into force until 2028.

However, failure to implement this European legislation could lead to financial penalties for the Czech Republic. For example, Belgium received a daily fine for the delayed transposition of a European directive in telecommunications.

Construction of nuclear units

ANO's programme builds on work already under way to construct new units at the Temelín and Dukovany nuclear power plants. The programme states:

“We will launch permitting proceedings for the new Dukovany 5 and 6 nuclear units and begin work on Temelín 3 and 4.”

The programme is therefore in line with steps taken by the previous government, which this year signed a contract with KHNP, which is to build the new Dukovany units, and requested European Commission notification of state aid.

Blackout prevention

ANO wants to “ensure reliable control of electricity flows from neighbouring countries” and accelerate key grid projects. Since 2017, four phase-shifting transformers (PSTs) have been operating on the Czech-German interconnection at the Hradec u Kadaně substation, installed by ČEPS specifically to manage unplanned flows. ANO's programme mentions an ambition to install such equipment also on the border with Poland.

Construction of gas-fired power sources

ANO's programme envisages “accelerating the construction of new flexible sources – especially gas-fired ones” and introducing capacity mechanisms. The programme follows on from steps taken by the previous government, which opened the way to introducing a capacity mechanism through a proposed amendment to the Energy Act (the so-called lex RES III) and discussions on ensuring resource adequacy.

A number of EU states rely on similar instruments. At the same time, a new Building Act and an amendment to the so-called Linear Infrastructure Act for strategic energy projects have entered into force to speed up permitting, which could help accelerate the construction of new gas-fired sources and their connections to the electricity and gas grids.

Keeping coal-fired sources until they are fully replaced

ANO declares that it will not shut down coal-fired power plants without corresponding replacement capacity. The previous government was also preparing a solution to keep coal-fired power plants operating even after they become economically unviable, if the Czech Republic lacked sufficient energy sources.

District heating transformation

ANO's programme promises to “support the transition to gas-fired cogeneration units, waste heat and other alternative sources”. This follows on from long-term support for the modernisation of heating systems and heat sources (the HEAT programme) from the Modernisation Fund.

Support for investment in renewables

ANO wants to “create conditions for the development of solar, wind and hydropower plants” and energy storage.

The programme statement follows on from an agenda already under way. This is embodied in particular by RES+ calls under the Modernisation Fund (for example, RES+ 5/2025 for storage) and, more recently, the ELEGRID sub-programme focused on strengthening the transmission and distribution system.

Since 1. 7. 2024, legislation on electricity sharing and community energy (lex RES II) has been in force in the Czech Republic, while since summer 2025, a law on acceleration zones for faster permitting of selected renewable energy sources has applied.

ANO's programme aligns in many areas with the current direction of energy policy set by the previous government and supported by state institutions, such as the State Environmental Fund (SFŽP). In the area of ETS 2, ANO's programme (its readiness not to implement the system) is considerably more radical than the position of the preceding government.