Electricity in Czechia in 2024

As of 2024, Czechia's electricity consumption leans towards a cleaner energy mix, with more than half of its electricity, specifically around 58%, derived from low-carbon sources. Among these, nuclear power is the dominant player, contributing approximately 41% to the electricity grid. Other clean energy sources like biofuels, solar, and hydropower make up smaller portions, with each contributing 7%, 5.5%, and 3.5% of electricity generation, respectively. Meanwhile, fossil fuels account for about 42% of Czechia's electricity, with coal and gas being the primary sources. Coal alone makes up over a third of the electricity mix, highlighting the continued reliance on fossil fuels despite significant contributions from low-carbon energy sources.

Suggestions

To further increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Czechia has an excellent opportunity to expand its existing nuclear infrastructure, given its already substantial role in the country's electricity supply. An expansion could follow the model of successful nuclear-focused countries like France, where 68% of electricity is generated from nuclear power, or Ukraine, with a nuclear share of 55%. Besides nuclear, Czechia can explore enhancing wind and solar capacities. Lessons can be drawn from Slovakia's success with nuclear, producing 62% of its electricity from this source, and from Denmark, where wind energy covers 52% of their electricity needs. These examples underscore the potential for significantly boosting clean electricity through strategic investments in nuclear and wind technologies.

History

Historically, Czechia's low-carbon electricity generation has been largely driven by nuclear energy. In the late 1980s, nuclear output experienced rapid growth, rising by 9.5 TWh from 1986 to 1988. The early 2000s witnessed another wave of nuclear expansion, highlighted by substantial increases in 2002 and 2003, with a combined growth of over 11 TWh. However, there were periods of decline, notably between 2005 and 2016, when a drop of more than 7 TWh was recorded, which is concerning given the importance of nuclear energy in maintaining a low-carbon energy mix. Recently, the emphasis on solar energy is reflected in the uptick in generation, such as a growth of 1.6 TWh in 2011 and an increase of 1.1 TWh in 2024. Despite past fluctuations, the consistent development of nuclear and the introduction of solar energy over the years position Czechia to continue its transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable electricity sector.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources