Czech Republic consumed more electricity and gas, while power generation weakened

Czechs continue to increase their energy consumption. In the first quarter of this year, electricity and gas consumption rose year on year by several percent, with growth evident across all customer groups. Electricity generation, by contrast, declined, while domestic gas storage facilities were also significantly less full than last year. The Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) reported today.

In the first months of the year, last year's trend of rising energy consumption continued. "The largest year-on-year increase in electricity consumption was recorded among households, while gas consumption rose mainly among large consumers. The very cold January contributed to higher consumption and was also one of the reasons for greater withdrawals from gas storage facilities, which, together with developments in global prices, led to their lower fill levels at the end of the winter season," said Martin Šik, director of ERÚ's Analytical and Data Support Department.

According to ERÚ data, net electricity consumption in the first quarter totalled 16,9 terawatt-hours (TWh), representing a year-on-year increase of 3,2 percent. Gas consumption rose by 4,4 percent year on year to 2,9 billion cubic metres. After adjustment for the long-term temperature average, it increased by 2,3 percent.

Electricity generation, meanwhile, declined by two percent year on year to 20,3 TWh. Output was reduced primarily by nuclear power plants, by 8,1 percent. Planned outages at Temelín and Dukovany played a role. Generation also declined at steam, hydroelectric, wind and photovoltaic power plants. Combined-cycle gas power plants, by contrast, recorded growth of more than 51 percent, while output also increased from pumped-storage, gas-fired and combustion sources.

Despite the disparity between consumption and generation, the Czech Republic remained a net exporter in the first quarter of this year. However, the difference between exports and imports narrowed by 33 percent, with the cross-border balance reaching two TWh.

Gas storage fill levels were also lower during the quarter. Withdrawals from storage totalled 1,8 billion cubic metres of gas, 40 percent more year on year. As of the end of March, 461 million cubic metres of gas were stored in the facilities, almost the same amount as in 2022, when operational storage levels at the end of the winter season had not yet been affected by the war in Ukraine. Year on year, however, stocks fell by 45,2 percent.