Published:19.12.2024
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Energy production from coal in the Czech Republic will end in 2033, decided government in its green plan

Energy production from coal in the Czech Republic will definitively end by 2033 at the latest, as decided by Fiala's government, which has approved the so-called climate and energy plan. This plan also includes a greater share of nuclear and renewable energy sources.

At its final meeting of the year, the Czech government approved a document outlining the country’s green policies and emissions reductions, as announced by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Lukáš Vlček (STAN).

The Czech Republic's National Energy and Climate Plan, referred to as the climate and energy plan, introduces several significant changes that will primarily impact domestic businesses.

The European Union mandated the creation of this document, just as it did for other member states. Some measures, such as emission allowances and standards for power plants and vehicles, have long been established. The EU also has a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to eliminate emissions entirely by 2050.

The climate plan aims to steer the Czech Republic toward achieving these EU goals, requiring investments of up to 2.8 trillion CZK by 2030.

The plan envisions nuclear energy as the Czech Republic's main energy source, but not until after 2040. By then, at least one new nuclear reactor is expected to be built at the Dukovany power plant.

The green plan also specifies the date for the Czech Republic’s complete transition away from coal, set to occur by 2033.

However, high prices for emission allowances are already pressuring coal-fired power plants to shut down, with many expected to cease operations for economic reasons by 2030. Heating plants are also gradually moving away from coal.

The gradual closure of coal power plants will lead the Czech Republic to import a significant portion of its electricity while increasing its production of energy from renewable sources. By 2030, up to 30% of electricity should come from green sources, compared to the current 18%.

Beyond the energy sector, the climate plan includes emission reductions in other areas such as industry, agriculture, buildings, and transportation.

The document initially proposed a plan to increase the price of petrol by 2 CZK per litre due to new emission allowances, which would raise fuel prices in the future. However, the government has temporarily withdrawn this proposal.

In this context, Fiala's government has announced its intention to reopen discussions on the Green Deal with the European Commission. The aim is to clarify the operation of the new emission allowance system or to relax emission limits for car manufacturers.

Source: https://www.byznysnoviny.cz/
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