Gas consumption rose 1.6% in the first three quarters of the year. Czech GasNet distributed 42.9 TWh of energy

GasNet Group, the largest gas distributor in the Czech Republic, supplied customers in its distribution area with 42.9 TWh of energy from January to September this year. This represents a 1.6% increase compared with the same period last year. Industry and heating plants consumed the most gas, taking more than 26.1 TWh. GasNet is also seeing continued interest in connecting new consumption points. This year alone, the distributor connected more than 7 500 households to the network, and gas remains an important source of heat for new buildings too.

“Gas has long confirmed its position as a reliable source that enables the rapid decarbonisation of heating plants, industrial companies and other energy-intensive operations. Gas consumption in this segment has been growing for the third year in a row. Our infrastructure is responding reliably to the long-term increase in demand, and we are ready for further growth in terms of capacity,” says Andrzej Martynek, CEO of GasNet Group.

Major consumers that have opted for natural gas to reduce emissions include not only heating plants, but also chemical plants, engineering operations, sugar refineries and electricity producers. These consumption points used a total of 26.1 TWh from the start of the year, 0.2 TWh more than last year.

Households and medium-sized consumers are also keeping pace. In absolute terms, the increase in this segment is even more pronounced. From January to September, they consumed 16.8 TWh, 0.5 TWh more than last year. As in previous periods, higher consumption was driven mainly by colder weather during the heating season.

The share of renewable gases in the GasNet distribution network is also growing. A total of 109 082 MWh of biomethane was injected into the network (a year-on-year increase of 1.4%). Since the beginning of May, GasNet has also been regularly distributing hydrogen in the town of Hranice in the Karlovy Vary Region, where it currently supplies natural gas blended with 10% hydrogen.

Interest in gas continues

Alongside consumption trends, GasNet is also tracking the number of new connections to the distribution system. A total of 8 967 consumption points have connected to GasNet’s network so far this year. The distributor has also received a further 8 719 new connection applications.

“Households account for the largest share of newly connected consumption points. Since January, we have connected 7 504 of them to our network. Many are new buildings, showing that gas remains the first choice for many new projects when selecting a heating source,” adds Andrzej Martynek.

In the large- and medium-consumer segment, which includes industrial companies and heating plants, 41 customers newly connected to gas. In the small-consumer segment, including restaurants, cafés and small businesses, there were 1 422 new consumption points.

“With its scale, accessibility and capacity, the gas distribution system is a reliable source of energy for industry and for the production of heat and electricity. The same applies to local heating using gas boilers. Through carefully targeted investment, we are continually preparing our network for further growth in the volume of gas distributed, so that we can continue to ensure safe and reliable energy supplies,” explains Andrzej Martynek of GasNet.

Last year, GasNet invested just under CZK 6 billion in modernising the gas system, and this year it is carrying out investments of a comparable scale. The 2026 programme comprises 580 key construction projects, involving the construction or modernisation of around 250 km of gas pipelines and 40 pressure-regulating stations across Czechia.

Gas utilities have entered the heating season

Heating has already started in most parts of the Czech Republic, and heating plants and small boiler houses have begun operating. Gas utilities also entered the heating season on 1 October.

Distribution companies carry out the main inspections of gas facilities during the spring and summer months, ensuring that the entire infrastructure is well prepared for winter. The final major inspection before the frosts will take place at the end of November, when distributors begin so-called intensive odorization. For a full week, they will add a significantly larger quantity of odorant to the gas, thereby checking the overall tightness of gas pipelines and service connections. Gas distribution companies will provide details of the intensive odorization during November.