Electricity in Czechia in 2023/2024

The current state of electricity consumption in Czechia over the last 12 months, from October 2023 to September 2024, shows a strong reliance on low-carbon energy, comprising roughly 61% of the total. Within this category, nuclear power dominates with over 40% of the electricity generated, making it the backbone of Czechia’s low-carbon energy portfolio. Fossil fuels, however, still contribute a significant portion, accounting for about 38%. Coal is the leading fossil source at 34%, followed by gas at just over 4%. Among the other low-carbon sources, hydropower, solar, wind, and unspecified renewables add up to around 17% of the electricity mix, with hydro and solar being the most prominent. Biofuels, while counted as low-carbon, remain a lesser contributor at around 3%.

Suggestions

Czechia could look to bolster its already substantial low-carbon electricity generation, particularly by expanding its existing nuclear capacity. Given the successful deployment of nuclear power in countries like France and Slovakia, Czechia can learn valuable lessons in scaling up this clean energy source. For instance, France derives an impressive 67% of its electricity from nuclear power, which significantly mitigates its reliance on fossil fuels. At the same time, the potential for expanding wind energy is notable, as evidenced by Denmark, where wind power contributes 61% to the electricity mix. Czechia could also take cues from nearby countries with similar climates and geographical characteristics, such as Germany and Poland, which focus heavily on wind energy.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Czechia reveals periods of significant growth and some setbacks, especially in nuclear energy. During the late 1980s, nuclear generation saw steady increases, with notable expansions in 1986 (3.8 TWh), 1987 (4.6 TWh), and 1988 (1.1 TWh). Significant growth continued into the early 2000s, especially in 2002 and 2003, with additions of 4 TWh and 7.1 TWh respectively. However, there were notable declines, such as a decrease of 1.6 TWh in 2005 and another downturn in the mid-2010s, particularly in 2015 and 2016 with reductions of 3.5 TWh and 2.7 TWh. In more recent years, the nuclear sector continued to show variability, with a fall of 1.8 TWh for the 2023/2024 period. At the same time, other clean energy sources like hydro and solar saw positive developments, with increases of 2.5 TWh and 0.8 TWh respectively during the same period. Despite the occasional declines, the overall trend underscores the importance of nuclear and other low-carbon technologies in Czechia’s electricity landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources