In 2024, Czechia's electricity consumption is largely dominated by low-carbon sources, which make up about 58% of the electricity mix. A significant portion of this, roughly 41%, is generated from nuclear power, marking it as the cornerstone of the country's clean energy strategy. Solar and hydropower contribute smaller shares, almost 5%, and around 4%, respectively. On the fossil side, coal remains the most prevalent at around 37%, with gas trailing behind at just above 5%. This split shows a significant lean towards low-carbon solutions, but there's still room for growth in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, to help mitigate climate change and improve air quality.
Is Electricity Growing in Czechia?
Despite this focus on low-carbon electricity, overall electricity consumption per person in Czechia has not returned to its peak from the mid-2000s. The current figure stands at around 6755 kWh/person, a noticeable decline from the historical high of 8532 kWh/person in 2007, representing a decrease of approximately 1777 kWh/person. Low-carbon electricity generation has also seen a slight dip compared to its 2021 record, falling by 21 kWh/person. This stagnation and even slight retreat in both total and clean electricity are concerning in the face of increasing global energy demands, especially as digital technologies and electrification spread.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Czechia could benefit from expanding its existing nuclear capabilities, considering the significant share it already holds. Additionally, insights can be gleaned from countries with similar profiles, like Slovakia where nuclear energy accounts for a significant 62% of electricity generation. Embracing substantial lessons from these nations could guide Czechia in amplifying its clean energy framework. Besides nuclear, integrating lessons from countries highly successful in harnessing wind energy, such as Lithuania with 26% wind-generated electricity, could also provide pathways to diversify Czechia's low-carbon electricity landscape.
History
Historically, Czechia has experienced fluctuations in its low-carbon electricity contributions, notably within nuclear power. From the mid-1980s into the early 2000s, there was a consistent climb, particularly around the mid-2000s, with significant nuclear expansion observed in 1986, 1987, and 2002. While there were notable declines in subsequent years, such as 2005 and 2015, growth returned post-2017. Solar energy also saw a remarkable rise in integration into the electricity mix, most notably in 2011 and 2024, reinforcing the potential of expanding solar capabilities further. Meanwhile, hydropower witnessed sporadic developments, including reductions in 2003 and 2020. This timeline underscores the potential for steady investment in nuclear and solar infrastructures to maintain and grow Czechia's low-carbon electricity output sustainably.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.