Czech Republic consumed nearly 13% less gas in the first half than last year

Since the beginning of this year, 3.749 billion cubic metres of natural gas have been consumed in the Czech Republic. That was nearly 544 million cubic metres less than in the same period last year, a year-on-year decrease of almost 13 percent. The average temperature in the first half of this year was 0.3 degrees Celsius lower than last year. This is according to data published today on Twitter by Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela (STAN).

This year's favourable trend in consumption is helping the Czech Republic build up reserves for next winter. As of the last day of June, Czech gas storage facilities held more than 2.91 billion cubic metres of gas. That is 84 percent of their total capacity, according to the Industry Ministry's website. A year earlier, storage facilities held 2.32 billion cubic metres, occupying 67 percent of capacity.

The storage facilities are being filled despite the Czech Republic not importing gas from Russia. According to Síkela, one reason is the securing of alternative supplies, particularly liquefied gas. „Our stake in a terminal in the Netherlands, which we secured last year, has also helped us significantly,“ the minister said. The second factor, he said, is a responsible approach to gas consumption. „The reward is a falling price,“ Síkela said.