ČEPS: Czech Republic will depend on electricity imports from 2030 and may even face shortages

From 2030, if it phases out coal-fired power generation, the Czech Republic will depend on expensive and risky electricity imports from abroad. In certain circumstances, the country could even face electricity shortages. This is according to an analysis by ČEPS, the electricity transmission system operator. The analysis concludes that, looking ahead, the country cannot do without building additional nuclear power sources or introducing a mechanism to support flexible energy sources. The state should also maintain a certain degree of self-sufficiency to cover national electricity demand.

Today, ČEPS presented an analysis of several possible scenarios for the future development of the energy mix in Czechia. Unlike in the past, the analysis also includes a so-called decarbonisation scenario, which assumes that the Czech Republic will meet its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across the economy by 2050. ČEPS based its energy generation portfolio on the assumption that coal-fired power generation will end by 2030, alongside a significant increase in installed renewable energy capacity. According to ČEPS, two of the scenarios indicate that if coal-fired power generation ends rapidly, Czechia will depend on electricity imports from abroad from 2030, for example from Germany or France. Electricity imports could also be very expensive and potentially risky.