In a notable shift from previous years’ trends, Czech Republic’s energy consumption has finally stabilized. Weather-adjusted gas consumption actually increased by 1.5%, while electricity usage saw a minimal decrease of 0.6%. However, compared to the 2017-2021 five-year average, savings remain substantial.
According to Kamil Rajdl, an analyst at Amper Meteo, favorable prices and supply stability have contributed to reduced motivation for gas conservation. Nevertheless, weather-adjusted savings still maintain an impressive 16.7% compared to the five-year average. For electricity, savings reached 8.5%.
Weather played a significant role in 2023’s consumption patterns. A mild winter reduced heating demands, while an unusually warm summer increased electricity usage for cooling. The Počerady power plant notably reduced its gas consumption by 40%, accounting for just 4.5% of the country’s total gas usage.
Renewable energy production saw a remarkable 22% increase. Solar power dominated the renewable mix at 57%, followed by hydroelectric at 32% and wind at 11%. These green sources now constitute 10.3% of the Czech Republic’s total consumption, marking a two-percentage-point increase year-over-year. Solar power generation surged by 38%, driven by a 40% increase in installed capacity.
Experts predict a significant slowdown in rooftop solar installations this year, with support limited to installations up to 5 kWp. Additionally, uncertainties surrounding eastern gas transit could drive prices up and spark a new wave of energy-saving measures.