(CIANEWS) - The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (MPO) has received 1,041 applications from large companies for CZK 5.52bn to help with increased gas and electricity costs. Of this, CZK 2.77bn has been paid so far, and two applications for CZK 3.45m have been refused. Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela (STAN) added that CZK 30bn had been prepared for the aid, and the difference between the allocation and the spent funds would be used to cap energy prices. The programme was intended for large enterprises with consumption points connected to the electricity or gas distribution system, which are not subject to price capping under the relevant government regulation.