Czech industry ministry to declare so-called prevention of a district heating emergency from 5 September

From 5 September, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will declare the so-called prevention of a state of emergency in district heating. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) announced this at a press conference following today’s cabinet meeting. It will allow district heating plants to use fuels other than natural gas without facing sanctions or lengthy permitting processes.

„District heating plants can already start stocking up on coal, light fuel oils and other fuels, and they will have certainty that they will be able to use them in winter,“ Fiala said.

According to him, these fuels do not meet current emissions standards, but ensuring sufficient gas and electricity supplies is now the priority. „The measure is also of substantial importance for our gas savings, as gas is scarce in Europe because of Russian policy,“ the prime minister added.

The decree envisaging lower temperatures for heating buildings will not enter into force with the declaration of prevention of a state of emergency in district heating, Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela (for STAN) said. As for the aforementioned decree, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is addressing comments received during the interministerial consultation process.

Under the original proposal, the decree on heating rules would take effect precisely in the event of a declaration of prevention of a state of emergency or a state of emergency in district heating. For example, people would heat living rooms to 18 degrees Celsius instead of the current 20 degrees, while bathrooms would newly be heated to 19 rather than 24 degrees Celsius.