Electricity and gas consumption in the Czech Republic began recovering last year after record declines

After two years of record declines, electricity and natural gas consumption in the Czech Republic stopped falling in 2024. It even began rising again for most customer categories. The Energy Regulatory Office reported this (ERÚ) in a press release.

According to published data, total net electricity consumption in the Czech Republic last year amounted to just under 58 TWh, representing a year-on-year decrease of 0.6 %. However, according to the ERÚ, this was solely due to lower consumption by several large companies that suspended operations during the year.

Electricity consumption grew most among large customers connected at the very high-voltage level, rising by 5.6 %. Household consumption increased year on year by 1.1 % and business customer consumption by 0.2 %. Electricity consumption among large customers connected at the high-voltage level remained unchanged year on year.

“The period of record declines in electricity and gas consumption has ended. Last year, almost all customer categories increased their electricity consumption. We recorded the most significant increase at the very high-voltage level, while households also consumed more year on year. Total gas consumption also rose, particularly when adjusted for the temperature normal. This is a major difference from previous years, when consumption was at record lows. One reason was energy prices, which gradually declined,” said Jan Šefránek, chairman of the ERÚ Council.

Gas consumption fell only among households

According to the ERÚ, total natural gas consumption in the Czech Republic rose by 0.1 % last year to 6,77 mld. m3 (roughly 74 TWh). However, when adjusted for the temperature normal, it increased by 1.8 % year on year.

Households were the only customer category where natural gas consumption declined, falling by 1.7 %. Large customers took 1.4 % more, medium-sized customers increased consumption by 1.1 % and business customers by 0.5 %.

“Gas consumption in 2024 fluctuated significantly, primarily due to weather conditions and, consequently, the use of gas for heating. For example, consumption fell year on year by almost twenty-two percent in April, while in October it increased by more than nineteen percent,” Jan Šefránek added, noting that consumption was 7.9 % lower year on year in the first half of the year and 10.5 % higher in the second half.

The ERÚ further noted that, for the third consecutive year, natural gas flows through the Czech gas system have been significantly lower as a result of the geopolitical situation. Last year, 6,1 mld. m3 flowed into the system, while only 0,3 mld. m3 of gas flowed out. In 2021, imports amounted to 45,7 mld. m3 and exports to 37 mld. m3. Gas storage facilities were 61,6 % full at the end of 2024, holding 2,2 mld. m3.