Czech Senate rejects new solar power plant controls and urban building restrictions

The Czech Senate has rejected proposed changes to the Energy Act—known as Lex RIZ III—which included stricter individual inspections of solar power plants and a controversial limitation on urban building regulations. The amendment, originally intended to introduce rules for electricity storage and aggregation, will now be reassessed by the Chamber of Deputies, which had inserted the disputed provisions.

Senators opposed the requirement for individual profitability evaluations of solar power plants with an output above 30 kilowatts, commissioned in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, efforts by Miloš Vystrčil and Zdeněk Nytra (both ODS) to restrict inspections to plants generating more than 145 kilowatts were unsuccessful. While Nytra estimated the measure would affect 500 to 3,000 operators, the Czech Solar Association later clarified that approximately 1,350 power plants would be impacted.

Parliamentary proponents of the controls argue that they would help the state reduce financial support for renewables in 2025. Critics, however, claim that the measures change regulations mid-course, create administrative burdens for plant operators, and could lead to arbitration disputes. They also warn of potential conflicts with EU regulations and risks to the Czech Republic’s climate commitments. Miroslav Plevný (STAN) described the new controls as a “harsh restriction and arbitrary interference in the business environment.”

Another contested provision of the amendment sought to eliminate territorial requirements for urban development in cities like Prague, Brno, and Ostrava, which currently have municipal building regulations. If implemented, cities would no longer be able to mandate underground technical infrastructure, public lighting, traction lines, or tree planting in new developments. The Senate unanimously recommended removing this restriction, following a proposal by senators from ODS, STAN, and ANO.

The government has allocated CZK 8.5 billion for renewable energy support this year, the same as in 2024. Under current rules, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) had projected a CZK 31.2 billion budget for 2025. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) previously stated that if reductions in financial aid fail, the state will cover the cost this year.

The push for stricter solar power plant controls was led by Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura (ODS), who insists that the measures align with European and Czech legal frameworks. He argued that increased scrutiny is necessary to prevent operators from receiving excessive state subsidies. Industry and Trade Minister Lukáš Vlček (STAN) supported the Finance Ministry’s efforts, stating they were legitimate and necessary. The amendment also extends state support for high-efficiency cogeneration electricity sources with installed capacities above 5 MWe, provided they were commissioned by 31 December 2012, until the end of 2029.

Beyond the solar power provisions, the amendment aims to introduce consumer protections, including an independent price comparator for electricity and gas. The Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) will manage the platform, enabling customers to compare utility offers. Additionally, the law is designed to enhance grid stability, facilitate the integration of renewable energy, and encourage investment in energy storage.

The amendment was the final agenda item in the Senate’s January session, with the next meeting scheduled within a month. The Chamber of Deputies will now decide whether to revise or uphold the contested provisions.

Source: CTK