Roman sought to disprove claims by environmentalists who have attacked the company's plans to renovate a coal power plant in Prunéřov, which ranks as the 18th biggest emitter of CO2 emissions in the EU.
Green groups argue that planned energy efficiency improvements at the plant are insufficient, but Roman said the plans are "good" and under way.
The Czech Environment Ministry did the right thing by approving an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on 29 April, he added.
"In 57 out of 59 points the solution offered by ČEZ corresponds to the best available technology. The two remaining are justified by local conditions," Roman stressed.
The Czech Environment Ministry was under pressure to decide whether the solution planned by ČEZ is appropriate or whether it needs to be revised before it can be approved with adjustments. Green groups demanded a complete phase-out of Prunéřov, arguing that the plant could be replaced by renewables and greater energy efficiency.
A second coal power plant at Prunéřov began operating in 1982, causing environmental damage in northwest Bohemia. Some 58% of the country's electricity is still produced in coal plants, but the Czech Energy Agency estimates this will drop to 28% by 2030.
Nuclear deal of the century
ČEZ has issued a public tender to massively upgrade its Temelín and Dukovany nuclear power stations, for and investment of around 500 billion CZK (€19.3 billion). The world's biggest nuclear deal currently on offer comes with supply security concerns, as it could make the Czech Republic more dependent on Russia – both in terms of technology and nuclear fuel – in case a Russian company wins the deal.
Roman dismissed suggestions that ČEZ is underestimating the risk that Russian company Strojexport might win the deal.
"There are several producers of nuclear fuel worldwide, so in case of problems we can turn away from the Russians," Roman said, adding that either Westinghouse or Areva could win the deal.
The Czech Republic currently produces 30% of its electricity in nuclear plants, which should increase to 50% in 2030. Nevertheless, 20% of the electricity produced in the country is exported and the Greens argue that big new plants are not needed.
New technologies?
Regarding carbon capture and storage (CCS), Roman declared that ČEZ is a big fan and regretted that the European Commission is yet to approve any EU-funded pilot projects in the Czech Republic.
"We were very interested in using CCS in some of our projects. However, without public support the technology is not commercially viable yet," Roman explained.
Asked whether it was in ČEZ's interest to invest in pilot projects for smart grids or electric cars, Roman said ČEZ and the Czech Republic are "pioneers in post-Soviet bloc countries". He added that no other company in Central and Eastern Europe is "involved in green investments as much as we are".
"Besides building the biggest wind farm in Europe, opening next year near the Romanian city of Constanta, ČEZ intends to invest into biomass projects as well as photovoltaic plants," Roman explained.
However, green campaigners have taken issue with ČEZ's renewable energy projects, which they consider "megalomaniac". For instance, they criticise the company for building a 60-hectare solar plant with 30 MW capacity, which covers an area the size of 80 football fields in Southern Bohemia, instead of promoting decentralised production, which they regard as the essence of the new energy revolution.
Different reality
The ČEZ chief also spoke of different circumstances across EU countries, expressing hope that EU lawmakers were aware of "different realities" in countries historically dependent on producing power and heat from coal. He called on MEPs to include transitory periods in the recast Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive, on which the environment committee is voting in May.
The European Parliament is currently debating the Commission's proposal to combine the 1996 directive with six other existing air pollution directives to prevent and limit pollution from large-scale industrial installations. In June 2009, EU environment ministers reached a political agreement, giving national authorities a transition period for implementing national ceilings for NOx, SO2 and dust.
Roman argued that if the new directive is implemented too quickly, it could have a negative impact on energy efficiency. He disagreed with MEPs who fear that the IPPC is at risk of not delivering on its goals because of an endless list of exceptions.
"I firmly believe that most MEPs will take into account the security of electricity supply and the feasibility of the proposal, which aims to reduce emissions – just as we do," the ČEZ CEO said.
Not pulling out of Bulgaria
The Bulgarian press recently reported that ČEZ was considering selling its major assets in Bulgaria as it is not happy with its business there.
However, Roman denied that ČEZ was thinking of pulling out of Bulgaria. He said the reports are "only speculation by the Bulgarian media, which is not worth commenting on".
