Ekonom: ČD to pay CZK 682m for renewable energy this year

Prague, Feb 15 (CTK) - National rail operator Ceske drahy (CD) will pay Kc682m in support to renewable energy resources this year and it is the highest sum among 20 largest power consumers which will spend over Kc5bn in total for the purpose, the server of the weekly Ekonom reported Friday.

Support to renewable energy is an energy price component. Czech industrial companies contribute 29 percent of their pre-tax profits to the purpose on average.

The server writes that CD's payment will grow by Kc200m this year. The total sum paid by CD for renewable energy since 2010 will reach Kc1.8bn, CD spokesman Petr Stahlavsky told the server.

Petrochemical group Unipetrol is the second largest contributor. It will pay Kc641.5m for renewable energy this year. Last year Unipetrol sustained a loss of Kc3.414bn.

Steel maker ArcelorMittal Ostrava will pay Kc577m, the third highest fee.

Over Kc44bn will be paid in support to renewable sources in the Czech Republic this year. The state budget will contribute Kc11.7bn and the rest will be paid by all consumers in the energy price.

Consumers pay Kc583 for renewable energy in every megawatthour of electricity they use this year, up from Kc419 last year.

Businesses have long complained about the high fees for renewable energy.

The steel federation Hutnictvi zeleza has this week said that Czech industrial companies contribute an average 29 percent of their pre-tax earnings to renewable energy support. The share is even higher in energy demanding industries: 50 percent in steel industry, 56 percent in chemical industry and 62 percent in glass industry.

Firms to pay highest fees for renewable energy in 2013:
company fee (in Kc millions)
Ceske drahy 682
Unipetrol 641.5
ArcelorMittal Ostrava 577
Trinecke zelezarny 398.4
OKD 397
Agrofert Holding 349.8
Skoda Auto 341.6
Linde Gas 270
Spolana 234.9
Vitkovice Machinery Group 200.1

Source: Ekonom