Finding a recipe for competitive decarbonization
At the opening, participants of the Leading Minds Forum were welcomed by the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel
Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive
Transformation and modernisation of the energy sector in line with climate and energy goals, decentralisation and restructuring of the production mix, support for the investment environment, and changes in domestic heating – these were the main subjects discussed by participants at the annual Leading Minds Forum. The international conference was organised by the consulting firm DDeM.
In addition to representatives of state and public administration, top managers from approximately 50 industrial and energy companies participated in the debate on current and future energy capacities, planned measures, and new business opportunities.
The event was patroned by Cylinders Holding and innogy Czech Republic, with the Energy Regulatory Office Council Members providing official auspices. The event’s main partners included ČEPS, E.ON, EPH, and the European Conservatives and Reformists Group. The event’s other partners were Anacot Capital, ČEZ ESCO, Gas Storage CZ, GENTEC CHP, Pražská plynárenská, Siemens, ŠKO-ENERGO, and the UCED Group.
You can learn more about the Leading Minds Forum platform at: www.lmf.cz.
From left: Michal Dolana, Managing Partner of the consulting firm DDeM, Petr Korbel, Table Tennis Player and Coach, and Kamil Čermák, Chairman of the Board and CEO of ČEZ ESCO
A ceremonial toast at the annual Leading Minds Forum; from left: Martin Herrmann, professional moderator of LMF and Business Angel, Jan Světlík, CEO and Chairman of the
Supervisory Board of CYLINDERS HOLDING, Tomáš Varcop, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of innogy Czech Republic and CEO of innogy Energie, and Michal Dolana,
Managing Partner of the consulting firm DDeM
Jan Světlík, CEO and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Cylinders Holding, highlighted the difficult position of Czech exporters due to high energy prices and pressure from Asian manufacturers.
Alexandr Vondra, Member of the European Parliament, spoke about the ambitions of the European Commission regarding the implementation of the “green policy” and the goal of achieving carbon neutrality on the European continent by 2050.
Kamil Čermák, Chairman of the Board and CEO of ČEZ ESCO, presented the future direction of the ČEZ Group in the areas of nuclear technologies, development of renewable energy sources and battery storage, as well as the transformation of district heating.
Jiří Feist, Member of the Board of Directors, Energy and Industrial Holding (EPH), pointed out the excessive bureaucracy in the EU, noting that Europe contributes less than six percent to global emissions, yet the price of emission allowances here is several times higher than elsewhere in the world.
Jan Šefránek, Chairman of the Energy Regulatory Office, discussed the need for multi-billion-crown investments in both electricity and gas infrastructure, which continue to grow. He also mentioned the upcoming sixth regulatory period, covering the years 2026–2030, and addressed changes to the tariff system.
Martin Durčák, Chairman of the Board of Directors, ČEPS, spoke about intensive preparations for the new energy era – including a significant increase in investments in the transmission network and strengthening of cross-border interconnections with the support of European funds.
The objectives and vision of the newly established Czech Energy Association were presented by its Executive Director Josef Kotrba, noting that the founding of the association reflects the generational shift currently underway in the energy sector.
According to Claudia Viohl, Managing Director / CEO of E.ON Czech Republic, the transition to modern energy will be financially demanding and will require substantial investment in network infrastructure. An affordable energy transition is also tied to intensive electrification, particularly in industry and transport.
Jiří Šimek, Managing Director of innogy Energo, identified strong potential for biogas use in the energy sector. The group recently acquired a biogas plant in Písek and plans to switch to biomethane and inject it into the grid. It also aims to use 100% renewable biomethane fuel across its network of compressed natural gas stations.
The EU ETS2 system was defended by Beatriz Yordi, Director for Carbon Markets and Clean Mobility at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action. According to her, the introduction of the new emissions trading system will contribute to further emissions reductions, particularly in transport and building heating. All revenues from EU ETS2 must be allocated to specific climate, energy, and social purposes.
From left: David Konvalina, Director of Retail and Marketing at innogy, and Jiří Šimek, Managing Director of innogy Energo
From left: Jiří Feist, Member of the Board of Directors, Energy and Industrial Holding (EPH), and Ludvík Baleka, Chairman of the Board of Pražská plynárenská
From left: David Šafář, Member of the Board of EG.D, Claudia Viohl, CEO & Chairperson of the Board at E.ON Czech Republic, Michal Slabý, CEO of NET4GAS, and Pavel Moučka,
Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gas Storage CZ
The international professional conference Leading Minds Forum was held in Ostrava on 17–18 September 2025, organised by the consulting firm DDeM
From left: Member of the European Parliament Alexandr Vondra and Josef Kotrba,
Executive Director of the Czech Energy Association
From left: Martin Durčák, Chairman of the Board of Directors, ČEPS, and Radek Lucký,
Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ČEPS
From left: Jan Šefránek, Chairman of the Board, Energy Regulatory Office, René Neděla, Senior Director of the energy section at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Jan Fousek,
CEO of the Association for Energy Storage AKU-BAT.CZ