In an unexpected development, electricity production in the Czech Republic experienced a notable decline of 10% in the previous year, reaching the lowest output since 2002 at 72 terawatt-hours (TWh). This dip is primarily attributed to diminished economic activity within the industrial sector, leading to a parallel reduction in power consumption. Remarkably, this trend mirrors the broader European Union scenario, where electricity production saw a collective decrease of 66 TWh in the same period.

The primary drivers behind this decline are the lower economic activities and the stagnation observed in the EU economies. Matěj Hrubý, a managing consultant at EGÚ Brno, asserts that the reduction is not linked to the implementation of technical-saving measures. Despite the anticipated increase in electrification across heating, transportation, and industry, overall electricity consumption is on a downward trajectory, contributing to a decline in coal-powered electricity production.

Nuclear and coal sources held the lion’s share, constituting nearly 80% (56 TWh) of the total electricity production. Notably, electricity production from coal witnessed an 11% decline, while nuclear production experienced a marginal 0.6% decrease.

Despite the dominance of conventional sources, there was a notable uptick in electricity production from renewable sources, particularly photovoltaics, which recorded a 17% increase, contributing 2.8 TWh of electricity. Natural gas contributed 3.3 TWh, with gas power plants operating at a minimum due to reduced electricity consumption and elevated commodity prices.

While renewable energy production has seen growth, EGÚ Brno highlights that it falls short of meeting the goals outlined for 2030. The updated Czech National Energy and Climate Plan (NKEP) proposal envisions electricity production from wind farms reaching around three TWh by 2030. The anticipation is that new legislation supporting the establishment of community energy initiatives will significantly bolster further renewable energy development. The evolving energy landscape underscores the importance of aligning strategies with sustainability goals and leveraging diverse energy sources for a resilient and sustainable future.

Article by Prague Forum