Monitoring stations are located in the municipalities affected by mine operations, providing continuous measurement of dust pollution, in particular suspended PM10particles, with remote
data transmission, operated by an independent accredited laboratory. The results of the measurement are provided to the affected municipalities and governmental agencies in the form of data messages at regular monthly intervals.
Combustion facilities have the necessary permits to release greenhouse gases affecting the climatic system and approved monitoring plans and are included in the system of trading in greenhouse gas emission allowances.
Republic of Poland
Both of CEZ Group’s combustion facilities complied with emission limits in 2014.
Republic of Bulgaria
The Varna power plant complied with emission limits in 2014.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowances
The Czech Republic, along with another 8 member states of the European Union, is exempted from the obligation to allocate greenhouse gas emission allowances for electricity generation solely at auctions from 2013 on. Its application for partially free allocation of allowances for electricity generation (derogation) from September 2011 was approved by the European Commission. Allowances for electricity and heat generation in the Czech Republic in 2014 are allocated to operators’ accounts in 2015. Applications for partially free allocation of allowances for electricity generation submitted by Bulgaria and Poland, where CEZ Group also operates, were also approved by the European Commission and allowances for 2014 should be allocated with a shorter delay than those for 2013.
Under the derogation, CEZ Group can get 70.2m tons of emission allowances (not including emission allowances for Elektrárna Chvaletice a.s., which is no longer part of CEZ Group) in the Czech Republic in 2013–2020 in exchange for investments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The investments must at least equal the value of the emission allowances allocated for free under the derogations. The value of the emission allowances is determined on the basis of their market prices in the previous year.
In 2014, CEZ Group submitted to the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic its Report on Investments for the period from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014, in which independent financial and energy auditors confirmed that the Group had invested over CZK 3.2bn in clean, environmentally friendly technologies.
Overview by CEZ Group Company
Shot No.: 141 CEZ Group–––––––– Protection of the Environment
Emission Allowances Allocated and CO2Produced in 2014 (tons)
Emission allowances allocated CO2produced
ČEZ, a. s. 10,856,936 16,467,267
ČEZ Teplárenská, a.s. 10,503 16,587 Elektrárna Dětmarovice, a.s. 1,491,777 1,949,108 Elektrárna Počerady, a.s. 2,813,305 4,741,866 Energetické centrum s.r.o. 5,966 511 Energotrans, a.s. 1,263,986 1,561,383 Czech Republic, total 16,442,473 24,736,722 Republic of Poland, total 290,183 * 2,436,736 Republic of Bulgaria, total N/A 967,645
Total 16,732,656 28,141,103
* Only allowances for heat generation were allocated before the closing date of this Annual Report.
Water Protection
Surface water is used by CEZ Group’s thermal and nuclear power plants and heating plants mostly for aftercooling and thus increasing the efficiency of electricity generation. Withdrawn water is recycled within the plants to minimize the amount of waste water discharged to receiving water courses. The generating plants have separate sewage systems and produced waste water is treated; the quality of discharged waste water is checked regularly.
CEZ Group utilizes the natural energy of surface water at hydroelectric and pumped-storage plants. Running surface water through turbines does not pollute it.
Groundwater is used to a minimum extent at CEZ Group, just for the production of drinking water.
Water withdrawal and wastewater discharge are subject to conditions set down in integrated permits issued by competent authorities or in the decisions of water authorities. In 2014, all of CEZ Group’s generation facilities met the technical conditions for their operation related to water protection as laid down in their operating licenses issued by competent administrative bodies: they complied with the minimum residual flow rates set down by water authorities to protect water biotopes, especially on minor water streams, as well as with conditions for discharging waste and mine waters. Protection of water against the potential negative effects of plant operations is ensured pursuant to the Water Act. Where substances hazardous to water are handled or where noxious substances are handled on a bigger scale or where handling such substances is associated with higher risk, measures are taken to prevent such substances from getting into groundwater, surface water, or sewage systems.
In connection with a technical defect, there was a leak of limestone suspension into the stream of the Prunéřovský potok at the Prunéřov II Power Plant. A timely intervention prevented a major leak and the accident did not have any adverse impact on the water biotope—there was no loss of fish or aquatic animals. Public authorities did not have to order any corrective measures.
The operations of Severočeské doly included the construction of the Jižní Svahy 3 pumping station and a connected drainage system in the area of the Bílina Mine, under the municipality of Braňany, at the end of the year. The construction project will contribute to better quality of water discharged from the Bílina Mine in the future because the water is pumped away to be treated by the Emerán mine water treatment plant, from which treated mine water is discharged to the Bílina River. A mine water treatment plant optimization project was undertaken for the area of the Tušimice Mine to increase the capacity of the treatment plant, reducing the load for the watercourse of the Hutná, especially during floods. Another project involved upgrading a treatment plant for coal-fouled washing water to allow recirculating the treated water and reusing it as service water in order to reduce demand for fresh surface water.
In connection with preparations for an environmental upgrade to the Dětmarovice Power Plant using ammonia as a catalyst to remove nitrogen oxides from flue gases, a safe management system (Safety Program) was introduced pursuant to applicable legislation on the prevention of serious accidents. The system aims to reduce the probability and potential health and environmental consequences of serious accidents.
Soil Protection
Czech Republic
In 2014, “Basic Reports” within the meaning of applicable legislation were prepared for all coal-fired facilities, describing the condition and/or potential contamination of groundwater, soils, and the rock environment. The Basic Reports specify pollution indicators for further evaluation during plant operation and decommissioning. The research and surveys conducted did not find pollutant values that would pose new alarming findings at any of the examined sites. The research did not find any pollution concentrations in groundwater or soil that would indicate site contamination in connection with the current operations or such concentrations of legacy pollution that would indicate a need to initiate remedial measures. In 2014, land reclamation continued in the vicinity of CEZ Group’s conventional power plants (dumps, sludge lagoons, etc.). More than 7.2m tons of coal combustion by-products certified for these purposes were used for land reclamation in 2014. Coal combustion by-products (CCBs) suitable for land reclamation include, in particular, fly ashes and their mixtures with boiler slag and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) products. FGD gypsum from wet-limestone scrubbing is also used as a raw material for drywall manufacturing; this use accounted for 319,071 tons in 2014, saving a lot of natural materials. A total of 270,880 tons of CCBs were used in construction and land reclamation outside CEZ Group.
Fauna Protection and Support
Czech Republic
In light of the statutory obligation of ČEZ Distribuce to secure all high-voltage power lines against bird injuries by 2024, steps to map the overall safety of such lines are being prepared at the moment. No increase in bird injuries caused by electrocution or collision with overhead lines was registered during 2014. The ČEZ Foundation made contributions to facilities caring for injured birds.
As in previous years, flying birds’ collisions with high-voltage overhead power lines at a section crossing the Elbe River were monitored throughout 2014. The monitoring has been performed since 2011 and no bird has been observed colliding with the lines and getting mechanically injured.
CEZ Group places permanent emphasis on environmental care and protection in the vicinity of its sites. This is evidenced, for instance, by a wide range of biological research in various fields carried out in the wider neighborhood of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant in 2014, which built on research completed in the previous year (e.g. in floristics or entomology). Each research project described the examined area in detail and created a list of identified species, including maps of the locations and emphasizing the presence of protected and endangered species. These projects (specifically concerning e.g. mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, or amphibians) document a good condition of the environment and also serve to assess the power plant’s potential environmental impacts. Special attention was paid to the Mohelno Serpentinite Steppe and its specific conditions, as well as support for the National Natural Monument (NNM) in Miroslav and the Moravský Krumlov Conglomerates NNM. Besides local streams, detailed research focused also on the Jihlava River in a section downstream of the dam of the Mohelno Reservoir. In this respect, we must mention cooperation with the Vysočina Region on the application of the “Quality Model”, which identified water pollution sources in the basin of the Jihlava River upstream of the Dalešice Reservoir and allowed proposing possible countermeasures.
Support for the nesting of the peregrine falcon at the sites of some coal-fired power plant continued in 2014. The annual cleaning of nest boxes, carried out alongside monitoring, provided ornithologists with valuable material for research into these rare birds’ life functions. Nesting conditions are created not only for falcons but also for sand martins, which are found at the disposal sites of some coal-fired power plants. Areas where sand martins were found to be nesting continued to be maintained during ongoing mining and reclaiming activities in 2014.
Severočeské doly embarked on an exceptional environmental project when it had to destroy a gravel-sand water reservoir ahead of the face of the Nástup Tušimice Mines for necessary operating reasons. The demolition was carried out under expert supervision and with the approval of the competent authorities. Several replacement amphibian breeding ponds were also built as compensation. An amphibian rescue and relocation operation was carried out at one of the water reservoirs and water-filled ditch remnants ahead of the face of the Bílina Mines. Detailed research on the water and marsh flora was conducted at the same location, focusing on the occurrence of Ceratophyllum submersum (soft hornwort).
Republic of Bulgaria
Power lines at Dolno Ozirovo were fitted with elements protecting birds against injury. In addition, 79 metal platforms for safe location of stork nests were installed in 2014.
Romania
In collaboration with Societatea Ornitologică Română, 4 artificial nests for the endangered saker falcon were installed at 110 kV line poles. Only 10–12 pairs of these birds are known to be found in Romania. In addition, the
collaboration included fitting power lines with elements to protect birds against injury in the Olt county. Ecosystem monitoring, focusing on birds, their migration, feeding, reproduction, and behavior, was carried out in the areas of the wind parks. No changes in the lives of birds or other fauna were detected at the location in 2014.
Shot No.: 143 CEZ Group–––––––– Protection of the Environment
Noise Protection
Czech Republic
Noise sources include power plants and heating plants as well as open-pit mines, especially the operation of turbo generator sets, cooling systems, long-distance belt conveyors, and large-scale mining machinery.
Severočeské doly performs regular monthly monitoring in all affected municipalities in the vicinity of its two mines; its results are submitted to the municipalities and governmental agencies in the form of data messages. The measurement is performed by an independent accredited laboratory.
To reduce the negative effects of mining operations on surrounding buildings and population, protective measures are taken both at the sources of noise and by constructing noise reducing embankments. The actual strategy of reclamation plans is based on the goal to screen affected towns and villages from active mining and dumping areas using protective measures. In spite of a number of noise abatement measures taken, noise limits could not be permanently met at some places in the vicinity of generation facilities. Based on a review by the Regional Sanitation Authority, stating that the noise was reduced to a reasonably achievable level and did not pose a risk to human health, an exemption from noise limits was granted for the operation of the heating plants at Dvůr Králové, Vítkovice, Tisová, and Poříčí.
Republic of Bulgaria
In the area of electricity distribution, 16 noise load checks were performed in cooperation with Regional Health Inspectorates in and around Sofia in 2014; limits were found to be exceeded in two cases. CEZ Razpredelenie Bulgaria AD responded by preparing a set of corrective measures; measurements following their implementation found out compliance with the standard in one case but the other case will require technical measures beyond the company’s scope of powers. An accredited laboratory performed a noise measurement in the vicinity of the Varna Power Plant, confirming compliance with the noise standard.
Republic of Poland
The ELCHO and Skawina power plants meet required noise limits. At night, noise produced by the ELCHO Power Plant is just below the permitted limit, so measures must be taken not to exceed it.
Romania
Noise produced by the wind turbines is monitored regularly. No violations of noise standards were identified.
Impact of Hydro Plant Operations on Ecosystems
CEZ Group’s hydro plants in the Czech Republic meet all requirements imposed by applicable environmental legislation. In addition, their operations are managed in strict compliance with the operation rules of competent River Authorities. Requirements concerning territorial protection of nature apply to the greatest extent to the operations of hydro power plants located on the territory of a national park (NP) or protected landscape areas (PLA). The first category comprises the Vydra and Čeňkova Pila small hydro power plants (Bohemian Forest NP), the second category includes the Dlouhé Stráně pumped-storage power plant (Jeseníky PLA), the Střekov hydro power plant (České Středohoří PLA), and the small hydro power plants of Práčov (Železné Hory PLA) and Černé Jezero (Bohemian Forest PLA).
Because of the specific nature of pumped-storage operation, special attention is paid primarily to the Dlouhé Stráně pumped- storage power plant. A monitoring program assessing the impact of its operation on the quality of water in the Divoká Desná River has been in place since the power plant’s commissioning in 1996. The results of monitored water quality indicators meet legislative requirements.
The potential impacts of the Dalešice and Mohelno power plants are also monitored as they are located in the vicinity of the Jihlava River Valley, a site of European importance. Its main object of protection is the deeply recessed river valley and its ecosystems with very high species diversity and the occurrence of a high number of endangered species of plants and animals. The power plants’ effect manifests itself the most in the changed hydrologic regime of the Jihlava River downstream of the reservoir dam.
The existence of power generation facilities on the territories of national parks and protected landscape areas also brings about certain related minor restrictions for the power plants as such. For instance, the most visited site of Dlouhé Stráně, which attracts more than 80,000 visitors every year, must regulate the number of people in a group and the buses that shuttle the visitors must meet strict environmental limits.
Utilization of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Electricity was generated at CEZ Group facilities mostly by nuclear power plants (48%); fossil—non-renewable—sources generated 45% of electricity. Renewable energy sources also have an irreplaceable role in the portfolio of CEZ Group power facilities; almost 7% of electricity was generated from renewables in 2014.
Although their share in electricity production is not big, the importance of renewables consists in environmental friendliness. However, in the natural conditions of the Czech Republic, renewables can only be considered a supplement to conventional facilities. The primary reason is the low potential of the generation of renewable electricity given by the climatic and geographic conditions of the Czech Republic, production that is difficult to predict, and the related risk of overloading the capacity of transmission and distribution grids. By contrast, CEZ Group has been generating solely renewable electricity in Romania and, since 2015, in Bulgaria.
The renewable source with the most natural energy used by CEZ Group is water power, whose share in the production of renewable electricity was over 52%. The combustion of biomass, especially wood chips and other plant products of forest and farm origin, is most often performed as pure biomass combustion, especially at CEZ Group’s facilities focusing on heat generation. The share of biomass in electricity generation is 16%, photovoltaic energy represents 3%, and wind power accounts for almost 29% of renewable energy, primarily thanks to the operation of a park of wind turbines in Romania.
Consumption and Emissions
Shot No.: 145 CEZ Group–––––––– Protection of the Environment
CEZ Group Consumption and Emissions in the Czech Republic
Unit 2013 2014 2014/2013
Index (%)
Total water consumption thousands of m3 536,638 521,849 97.2
of which: surface water thousands of m3 536,461 521,584 97.2
groundwater thousands of m3 177 265 149.5
Emissions and specific emissions of air pollutants
Solids tons 2,161 1,722 79.7
Sulfur dioxide tons 41,847 37,776 90.3
Nitrogen oxides tons 37,986 31,077 81.8
Carbon monoxide tons 5,479 5,252 95.9