24th Czech energy congress: What next in the energy transition…?

The 24th edition of the prestigious energy congress, organised by Business Forum, will take place in just two weeks, on 1 April 2025, at the Grand Majestic Plaza Hotel in Prague. As always, senior executives and experts from leading Czech energy companies and institutions will gather there.

The Czech and European energy sectors will undergo enormous changes not only by the end of this decade, but also in the years that follow. Stakeholders hold differing views on the pace of the ongoing transition.Some see the Green Deal as an opportunity, while others consider it a growing problem.In any case, Czechia is heading for a major drop in electricity generation due to underinvestment in the sector. It must replace ageing sources built in the last century with new ones. The energy transition will require vast sums of money. Russian aggression will also force high spending on the country's defence. The war in Ukraine is significantly increasing energy insecurity.

Coal is on its way out. It will be replaced by gas and renewables, and later by nuclear power. Decarbonising and modernising the energy sector will require massive investment. Investment in new sources, infrastructure and decentralisation must be supported. Suitable conditions must be created for investors so that the coming changes do not jeopardise stable and secure energy supplies. Businesses and households are installing renewable energy sources, whose integration into the system requires a transformation of electricity infrastructure—modern, smart, digitalised power grids. Interconnecting energy systems to ensure that sources are available when needed is a priority, as increasing import capacity and strengthening cross-border interconnections should help bring down electricity prices. The real cost of the transition will be high.

Many questions remain unanswered and open. Come and hear the views, solutions and answers of leading figures in Czech energy on selected questions:

• How will the new US policy affect the European energy sector?
• What will the new European Commission's energy agenda bring by 2029?
• How will Czech politicians address the shortage of generation sources in the country?
• Will we import electricity?
• How will the modernisation and decarbonisation of the energy sector affect energy prices?
• Who will build backup power sources? What kind?
• How are distribution and transmission grids being developed and modernised?
• What is the potential for storage and flexibility aggregation?
• What are distribution system operators and the transmission system operator planning in the area of flexibility for the coming years?
• How has the development of the Electricity Data Centre (EDC) progressed?
• What role will gases play in the European and national energy mix?
• What are the prospects for biomethane production in Czechia? Will biomethane production take off in Czechia?
• What are the real opportunities for hydrogen production, and how could hydrogen technology change the business world?

The current congress programme and registration form are available at: www.business-forum.cz