The deputies of the Czech parliament have approved, in the third reading, an amendment to the LEX Gas energy law that will accelerate the construction of gas-fired power plants. The proposal, which aims to ensure the stable operation of the electricity supply amid the gradual decline in coal resources, is now under discussion in the Senate.
“By approving this amendment, we have taken a fundamental step towards ensuring reliable electricity supplies in the coming decades. Gas will serve as a transitional but necessary source in the shift from coal to nuclear and renewable energy,” said Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček.
The update simplifies the permitting process for new gas-fired power plants with an output of over 100 megawatts (MW) and establishes predictable conditions for investors. It also introduces insurance mechanisms that allow the Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ), in cooperation with the transmission system operator ČEPS, to intervene in the event of risks to the safe operation of the electricity system.
As highlighted in the statement of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, gas-fired power plants are a key pillar in the evolving energy sector, providing the flexibility needed to integrate renewable sources. Alongside storage and aggregation technologies, they help balance fluctuations between production and consumption, contributing to the secure operation of the grid.
Another amendment to the law proposes a ban on electricity “wasters,” aiming to exclude inefficient electrical equipment from participating in support services or flexibility mechanisms if they do not use consumed electrical energy effectively.