Renewables’ share of energy consumption in Czechia could exceed 20 percent this year, chamber says

The share of renewable energy sources in total energy consumption is expected to exceed 20 percent for the first time this year. New sources added last year should help achieve this; after years without any, new wind farms and biogas plants were built, for example. Simplifying the permitting process for new sources will also be key to further development. Štěpán Chalupa, chairman of the Chamber of Renewable Energy Sources, said this at a press conference today. So far, renewables have accounted for around 18 percent of energy consumption.

Last year was successful for the development of most sources, according to the chamber. For example, energy companies connected new wind farms last year for the first time since 2019. The chamber also said that new biogas plants were built, along with the first facility to produce so-called green hydrogen. Interest in solar panels, heat pumps and solar thermal collectors rose by tens to hundreds of percent. According to chamber figures, consumers also acquired tens of thousands of new wood- and pellet-burning systems.

„This is a good sign, because renewable energy sources are reaching middle- and low-income households. Simplifications for small-scale sources and news about electricity sharing, which will begin in July, have also played a major role,” Chalupa said.

According to him, simplifying the permitting process is key to accelerating development further. In this context, chamber representatives pointed to the newly established Transport and Energy Construction Authority and other legislative changes that should speed up project preparation. „The third pillar of success will be completing the reduction of the permitting process to a maximum of two years, including the designation of areas for renewable energy sources, including acceleration zones,“ Chalupa noted.

The chamber also criticized the planned massive shift from coal-based power generation to natural gas. „Gas was on the table 20 or 30 years ago, but Czechia took only a half-step in modernizing at the time—instead of switching to gas-fired sources, it simply cleaned up coal-fired ones. There is no point in going back; the priority now must be to switch to renewable energy sources, or we will be a step behind,“ the chamber’s head said. In district heating, for example, he proposes greater use of geothermal energy and ambient energy in combination with heat pumps, and the use of biomass in some areas.

State strategy documents also envisage a gradual increase in renewables’ share of energy consumption. For example, under last year’s draft National Energy and Climate Plan, renewables should account for around 30 percent by 2030. Some organizations say the potential is even higher.

Despite growth in recent years, electricity generation from renewable sources in Czechia has long lagged behind. For example, solar and wind farms accounted for 3.7 percent of total electricity generation in the Czech Republic two years ago. This is well below the European average; across the EU, the share was around 22 percent.