Energy policy is set to become a core priority of the new Czech government. The designated Minister for Economic Affairs Karel Havlíček (ANO) wants to lower energy prices, promote investment, and simplify building regulations.
Energy is expected to be one of the central themes of the incoming administration. Karel Havlíček, the designated Minister for Economic Affairs (ANO), said on Czech television (ČT24) that the new government plans to reduce energy prices, encourage investment, and simplify construction rules.
The new government also plans to merge the Ministry of Industry with the Ministry for Regional Development and to fully nationalise the energy company ČEZ.
Billions in Investments for New Energy Sources
In addition to ensuring affordable energy, the future government must guarantee a long-term secure supply. Electricity consumption is rising while older power plants – both coal and nuclear – are gradually being phased out. The transformation will require investments amounting to hundreds of billions of crowns.
The outgoing government had already initiated the expansion of nuclear power plants. Preparations for a new reactor are underway in Dukovany, while Temelín is still awaiting a final decision. In parallel, small modular reactors (SMR) are to be built, and gas as well as renewable sources are expected to play a greater role.
Energy Prices and the Nationalisation of ČEZ
How all these projects will affect energy prices remains unclear. The ANO movement aims to make electricity and gas cheaper for households and businesses. However, industry representatives warn that higher investments will inevitably be reflected in prices.
To reduce costs, ANO is also relying on the planned nationalisation of ČEZ. Minority shareholders are to be bought out directly by the company itself – a project that, according to earlier estimates by Havlíček, would cost around 250 billion crowns and take roughly one and a half years.
Which priorities the future government will actually pursue should become clear from its programme in the coming weeks.
