Czech Republic only taps a fraction of renewable energy potential, analysis reveals

The Czech Republic is underutilizing its renewable energy resources, with the current usage rates revealing a significant gap between potential and actual production. According to a recent analysis by the Chamber of Renewable Energy Sources, the country harnesses only five percent of its wind power potential and less than six percent of photovoltaic energy from buildings. The data, derived from the Energy Regulatory Office, highlights stagnation in the development of biogas plants and small hydropower facilities in recent years.

Wind energy in the Czech Republic currently contributes a mere one percent to domestic consumption, despite a study by the Institute of Physics and Atmospherics of the Academy of Sciences suggesting that wind power could potentially satisfy 31 percent of the nation’s annual electricity needs. The analysis identifies regions with significant wind energy potential, particularly the Moravian-Silesian, South Moravia, and Vysočina Regions, with the Liberec Region leading at 26 percent. In contrast, the South Bohemian Region shows no potential for wind power generation.

Štěpán Chalupa, Chairman of the Chamber of Renewable Resources, noted that previous roadblocks to wind energy development, primarily due to regional authority constraints and lengthy permitting processes, have begun to shift following the recent energy crisis. “Some regions are now proactively preparing for wind power projects,” he stated.

The analysis further indicated that the Czech Republic is lagging in rooftop solar energy utilization, with solar power accounting for approximately four percent of consumption. The Vysočina Region has the highest penetration of solar installations, reaching 8.6 percent, while the South Bohemian Region follows with eight percent. However, Chalupa pointed out that nationwide, the potential for rooftop solar remains largely untapped, with only six percent of suitable building areas currently being utilized for photovoltaic systems. Alarmingly, Prague’s utilization rate stands at just 1.3 percent.

In 2023, wind power plants generated 693 megawatt-hours of electricity, marking a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. However, the share of wind energy in total consumption remains stagnant at around one percent, significantly trailing the European average of 19 percent. Neighboring countries also report higher production levels from wind energy.

Currently, the Czech Republic boasts more than 191,000 photovoltaic power plants, collectively producing 3.94 gigawatts (GW). Last year, the country saw a record installation of 82,799 new solar sources, an increase of 49,039 devices compared to 2022, although growth has slowed this year.

Global Renewable Energy Trends Lagging Behind Goals

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that renewable energy sources will account for nearly half of global electricity demand by 2030, with solar and wind expected to double their share in the global energy mix to 30 percent by the decade’s end. However, progress remains behind the ambitious targets set during the COP28 climate conference on climate protection.

The IEA forecasts that global renewable electricity production capacity will increase by over 5,500 gigawatts (GW) between 2024 and 2030, nearly triple the growth observed from 2017 to 2023. This year alone, capacity is expected to rise by 670 GW. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized the rapid expansion of renewables, stating, “Renewables are advancing faster than the goals of national governments can set.”

Despite this positive trajectory, UN representatives have called for a tripling of renewable capacity by the end of the decade, a target that appears increasingly unattainable given current trends. The COP28 conference in Dubai last December aimed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and mitigate global warming.

By 2030, approximately 60 percent of the newly installed renewable energy capacity is projected to be in China, indicating that by the end of the decade, nearly half of the world’s total renewable energy capacity will be concentrated in that country. While China leads in total volume, India is noted for its rapid growth in the renewable sector.

Technology forecasts suggest that 80 percent of the global growth in renewable capacity by 2030 will be driven by solar photovoltaic systems, fueled by new large-scale solar plants and increased rooftop installations in both commercial and residential sectors.

The IEA’s report highlights that nearly 70 countries, collectively representing 80 percent of global renewable energy capacity, are on track to meet or exceed their current renewable energy goals for 2030. Nevertheless, the expected growth is still not sufficient to meet the ambitious targets established at COP28. Governments must act swiftly, including modernizing extensive networks, to keep pace with these goals.

Source: IEA and CTK