The "duck curve" has arrived in Czechia. It has acquired its typical shape only in the past two years

The so-called duck curve in the day-ahead electricity market is also clearly observable in Czechia. While it was minimal in 2015, its midday trough has deepened significantly over the past two years. Morning and evening price peaks are also gradually rising. The phenomenon is clearly evident in data from April and May, when solar power plants typically generate the most electricity. Their output pushes electricity prices at midday down to negative values.

The rapid expansion of renewable energy sources in recent years has had a fundamental impact on the energy system, including wholesale markets. One such impact is the formation of the so-called duck curve in the day-ahead electricity market. This is a shape created by the curve of average daily electricity prices for each hour of the day (note: the term "duck curve" is also often used to refer to the decline in system load around midday). Its characteristic shape, which vaguely resembles a duck in outline, has given rise to the term “duck curve”.