Use of gas in ČR to grow, will be limited due to dependence on imports

Prague, Sept 10 (CTK) - The use of natural gas in the Czech Republic will be increasing in the years to come, but it will not exceed one-quarter of the energy mix owing to dependence on gas imports, Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Pavel Solc said Monday at Zofin Forum on gas as an energy source.

Gas will play the main role in production of heat in which it should secure 20 to 25 percent of supplies, according to the state's updated energy policy, Solc said.

Gas now accounts for around 18 percent of the energy mix.

The most important part of the mix is made up of coal, but its role will be decreasing in the future, according to the energy policy.

"Gas will enable transition from solid fuels and will partly replace thermal power plants," Solc said.

The importance of gas will be growing above all until 2020 when energy group CEZ is to complete gas power plant in Pocerady in northwest Bohemia.

One or two more gas sources are then to built that will serve above all for fast compensation of swings in electricity supplies.

Gas is to cover 5 to 15 percent of total electricity production in the years to come. More than a half of electricity will be produced in nuclear power plants.

Beside several gas power plants, the energy policy reckons with the use of gas for combined production of electricity and gas in cogeneration units. Experts also expect that gas will be used more extensively in transport.

However, it is necessary to have the increasing use of gas under control, according to Solc.

The Czech Republic imports a larger part of gas from Russia. The rest of gas is imported from Norway and other countries.

Prices of gas and oil will probably rise in the long-term outlook. It is therefore necessary not to increase dependence on imports, but instead focus on bigger development of gas infrastructure in Europe and construction of new transit roads, Solc said.

The state's energy policy is to outline the development in the Czech energy sector in the next 20 to 30 years.

Under the new policy, nuclear energy is to become the main source which is to cover more than 50 percent of electricity consumption after the completion of nuclear power plant in Temelin, southern Bohemia.

The cabinet is expected to approve the new energy policy of the state, together with the raw materials policy, this week.