State-controlled Czech power company CEZ AS (BAACEZ.PR) would like to build new nuclear generation capacity but has its hands tied because the government remains against building new nuclear capacity, CEZ's chief executive said Tuesday.
"Nuclear is one of the most viable options (for increased generation capacity in future) because of CO2 prices, it's a viable solution for long-term CO2 reduction," Martin Roman said at an energy conference here.
Roman added that he doesn't see "any specific development in the political situation concerning the government declaration (that it doesn't) support new nuclear capacities."
CEZ currently operates two nuclear power plants, the 2,000 megawatt Temelin plant, and the 1,680 megawatt Dukovany power plant.
Separately, the sale of CEZ's Pocerady coal-fired power plant to closely held Czech mining company Mostecka Uhelna AS, or Czech Coal, is one option to both cut CEZ's carbon emissions and resolve the company's inability to secure long-term coal supplies to the plant, he said.
"But we'd prefer other (alternatives), for example securing long-term coal supplies" to the plant, Roman said.