Pocerady is one of five coal-fired power plants CEZ has put up for sale to end a European Commission investigation into suspected anti-competitive behaviour.

Czech Coal, which is in a running dispute with CEZ over supply contracts, has bid for the plant. Its offer expired on Tuesday.

Benes was quoted as saying in Hospodarske Noviny that CEZ still preferred to get a new contract on coal supplies for Pocerady, and not to sell the plant under pressure.