Czech electricity CO2 emissions factor down a third since 2010

The CO2 emissions factor from electricity generation in the Czech Republic fell year-on-year by 9 % last year to 0.37 t CO2/MWh, following two years of growth. Since 2010, the value of this indicator has fallen by 33 %, and by nearly half since 1990. This follows from data published by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO).

According to the published data, the emissions factor from electricity generation in the Czech Republic declined steadily from 2016 until 2020, when it reached what was then a record low of 0.38 t CO2/MWh.

After 2020, however, it rose for two years to 0.41 t CO2/MWh, before last year's decline to 0.37 t CO2/MWh. This decrease was primarily due to lower electricity generation from coal-fired power plants, which amounted to around 11 %.

Coal phase-out will lead to a further decline

A further decline in the CO2 emissions factor from electricity generation in the Czech Republic can be expected in the future, given the anticipated continuing fall in coal-fired electricity generation. According to the draft updated State Energy Policy, which the MPO submitted for interministerial consultation in early February, this generation should end by 2033 at the latest.

According to the strategy, declining coal-fired electricity generation should gradually be replaced primarily by renewable and nuclear sources, and also by natural gas-fired sources during the transition period. Compared with coal-fired electricity generation, these have an approximately one-third CO2 emissions factor per unit of electricity generated (assuming generation in combined-cycle gas power plants with efficiency of around 55 %).

To achieve carbon neutrality, natural gas should be replaced in the long term by low-carbon and renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen.