Czechia: 13,000 participants joined electricity sharing in its first year of operation

Over 13,000 participants joined the electricity-sharing program in the Czech Republic last year, collectively sharing more than 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity from September to December 2024, according to the Electricity Data Centre (EDC). The center, which marks its first year of operation, began accepting registrations in August, with full-scale electricity sharing starting in September.

Electricity sharing was introduced through last year’s amendment to the Energy Act, enabling participants to share electricity within communities or across different points of consumption. For instance, energy generated at a cottage can now be shared with an apartment. The Czech Republic currently has over 3.7 million electricity consumption points.

“The EDC was built from the ground up,” said Petr Kusý, Chairman of the EDC Board. “In the first half of the year, we assembled a team, launched a public website, established a call center, and developed an IT system capable of processing large volumes of data in minutes.” The centralized system eliminates the need for individual network operators to create their own sharing mechanisms, significantly reducing costs.

By the end of 2024, the EDC had received 14,246 applications for electricity sharing, with 13,009 finalized contracts. The system registered 6,742 production points and 9,810 consumption points. Most participants share electricity across their own properties, with 5,492 such arrangements recorded. Additionally, 297 apartment buildings have joined the program. Kusý noted growing interest among public administration entities, companies, and larger groups, which have started forming the first “energy communities.”

Approximately 20 energy communities have registered with the Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ). These communities enable groups of active customers and electricity producers to collaborate on energy sharing. ERÚ Chairman Jan Šefránek highlighted the resources available to support new communities:
“To ease the transition for new energy communities, we’ve provided essential information and tips on our website. We will expand these resources further this year and continue hosting professional workshops to guide participants.”

Currently, the EDC operates in a temporary mode, supporting electricity sharing among active customers, producers, and communities. Full-scale operations, including services for electricity storage and aggregation, are expected to launch by mid-2026. This milestone will further enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the Czech Republic’s energy-sharing model, offering broader opportunities for sustainable energy management.

Source: EDC and CTK