March 2011 - A morning discussion forum was held in cooperation between the international law firm Kinstellar, E.ON, Česká spořitelna and EURONEWS.
The main topic of the conference was centred around the midterm priorities of the Czech energy sector. A very “poignant” discussion, as it was called by its host Jakub Železný at the conclusion of the conference, focused in the main on the impact of the latest EU directives on the Czech energy sector, the amendment of the energy law and the role of the banking sector in the Czech energy industry. Other discussed subjects included energy efficiency and further possibilities for the development of renewable resources and the potential of biomass.
Uniquely enough, all the speakers agreed on the subjects of energy efficiency, the necessity to maintain the energy independence of the Czech Republic and the flexible approach to end-customers.
A lively discussion was sparked by Miroslav Zajíček, head of the experimental economy lab at the Faculty of Economics of the Prague University of Economics, who looked with a great deal of criticism upon the issue of renewable resources, the need for them and the diversification.
Kamil Blažek, partner of the Kinstellar Prague office, dealt with the planned amendment of the energy law, in particular the envisaged changes in competences of the Energy Regulatory Authority, the Antimonopoly Authority and the State Energy Inspection Authority and with the new means of consumer protection in the energy market. He also criticised the continuing schizophrenic European energy policy in ensuring energy security as well as the uncoordinated liberalisation.
Michael Fehn, CEO of E.ON Česká republika, focused on smart trends in the energy sector. He spoke about these novelties primarily in connection with the smart distribution of electrical power and measurement systems or the use of new technologies in some sectors such as the automotive industry. He also presented new E.ON’s projects in the field of generation and distribution of biogas which, in his opinion, offers good prospects and may serve as a reliable source of energy for the Czech Republic as opposed to photovoltaic systems.
The impacts of the common EU energy policy were summed up by the deputy minister of industry and trade Tomáš Hüner. He commented on the preparation of the new energy concept for the Czech Republic and its impact on the further development of the energy sector which, according to him, faces some fundamental decisions to be made such as those regarding the further expansion of brown coal extraction or how to continue meeting the objectives agreed on the European level in the area of renewable resources.
Czech SME Union chairman David Šeich called for maximum support to the competitive environment in the energy market as the only way of securing sustainable prices for businesses. In his opinion, a major problem is posed by the state administrative interventions in this sector which cause artificial increase in energy end-prices as can be seen in the case of the inadequate support given to photovoltaic power generation.
Lastly, Jakub Židoň of Česká spořitelna presented the latest financial instruments and banking services for the energy market participants.