Use of the grid

Updated: 10.01.2019

Author: Boris Valach

Plant operators are entitled against the grid operator to non-discriminatory use of the grid for the transmission or distribution of electricity from renewable energy sources. The grid operator is obliged to enter into transmission agreements (§ 24 par. 1 Letter b in conjunction with § 24 par. 10 Letter c and § 25 par. 1 Letter b Energy Act). There are no special provisions on the use of the grid for the transmission and distribution of electricity from renewable energy sources.

Entitled party: The subjects entitled to use the grids are all electricity suppliers that have concluded an agreement with a transmission or distribution grid operator (§ 50 par. 3 Energy Act).

Obligated party: The grid operator in charge is obligated to connect the plants of all applicants to the grid and transmit and distribute their electricity, given that the applicants comply with the conditions laid down by a separate legal provision. The grid operator is exempt from its obligation in cases of proven capacity shortages or threats to the safe and reliable operation of the grid (§ 24 par. 10 Letter a Energy Act).

Procedure

Process flow

Conclusion of an agreement. Where renewable electricity is offered, the grid operators are obliged to purchase all electricity from eligible renewable energy sources and conclude a supply contract.

Obligations. Plant operators that choose to be supported through the green bonus are obliged to enter into a supply contract with another supplier. This obligation does not apply to producers that consume all renewable electricity they produce.

Guarantee of origin. The electricity market operator shall issue a certificate of origin of renewable electricity upon written request by an operator of a renewable energy plant. This guarantee of origin shall be issued within 30 days.

Priority to renewable energy

  • Priority to renewable energy
  • Non-discrimination

The conditions of use of the grid must be non-discriminatory (§ 24 par. 10 Letter c and § 25 par. 11 Letter d Energy Act). Operators of renewable energy plants are not entitled to priority use.

Curtailment

A grid operator is not obliged to grant to an applicant the connection of a plant and the transmission and distribution of electricity if it provides evidence of a capacity shortage or threat to the safe and reliable operation of the grid (§ 24 par. 10 Letter a Energy Act). Plants in the affected area are managed by the energy dispatcher that is responsible for the secure and reliable operation of the grid, the operations management of the grid and the calculation of the load of the connection lines (Decree No. 79/2010). In case of an emergency, it may reduce the production and the consumption of electricity and cut electricity imports from plants in the affected area (§ 1 Decree No. 80/2010).

Distribution of costs

Plant operator

Producers of electricity from renewable sources are obligated to share the eligible costs of the grid operator that are related to the power plant connection (§ 23 par. 2 Letter j Energy Act).

Czech Republic
Electricity
Heating & Cooling
Transport

Further information

Basic information on legal sources