Under Act No. 458/2000, on the Conditions of Business and State Administration in the Energy Industries and Amendments to Certain Laws, as amended (the Energy Act), the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO, Office) has been operating in the Czech Republic as an administrative authority for regulation in the energy sector since 1 January 2001.
The Office’s main responsibilities include market regulation to substitute for free market mechanisms and protection customers’ and license holders’ interests in the segment of energy industries in which competition is not feasible; support for competition; promotion of supported energy sources; and oversight over license holders’ adherence to conditions of business, thereby creating the preconditions for reliable electricity, natural gas and heat supplies.
In 2012, the Office had to carry out the assignments related to its extended powers under the amendment to the Energy Act, primarily in respect of oversight. Another important area was cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the development of Act No. 165/2012 on supported energy sources, in respect of which the Office prepared the related implementing regulations.
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