ERÚ sets hours during which Czechia must cut electricity consumption by an average of 5%

The Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) announced on its website the hours during which electricity consumption in Czechia must be reduced by an average of 5%, in line with the EU regulation. ERÚ has designated 9–10, 13–14 and 16–17 on working days, and 11–12 on non-working days, as peak hours.

Most obligations arising from Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices have applied since 1 December. In addition to the widely discussed revenue caps for electricity generators, the regulation also sets binding and non-binding targets for reducing electricity consumption.

The regulation establishes two targets for electricity consumption. The first is a voluntary 10% reduction in gross electricity consumption; the second is a mandatory average 5% reduction in electricity consumption during peak demand hours. Each Member State determines the peak period independently, but it must account for at least 10% of the hours between 1 December 2022 and 31 March 2023. During those hours, Member States are then required to reduce consumption by an average of at least 5% per hour.