Czech Republic burns significantly less coal for power this year as electricity exports decline

Significantly less coal was burned to generate electricity this year in the Czech Republic, as in Europe as a whole, than last year. This is due to lower electricity consumption and a return to greater use of natural gas. This is according to an analysis by consultancy EGÚ Brno. Electricity generation in the Czech Republic fell by a fifth year on year, equivalent to five terawatt-hours (TWh), the analysis found. Nuclear power produced the most electricity in the EU during the first nine months, followed by gas and coal. The Czech Republic remained an electricity exporter, although its share is gradually declining.

„In the first nine months of this year, nuclear power generated the most electricity in the European Union, accounting for 25 percent. Gas accounted for 15 percent and coal for 11 percent,“ said Matěj Hrubý, managing consultant at EGÚ Brno.

EU countries are significantly reducing coal use for electricity generation this year. This is most evident in Germany, where coal-fired generation fell by 30 percent year on year by the end of September, equivalent to 37 TWh. Poland also saw a decline of around 20 percent, as did the Czech Republic.