The Czech government has announced plans to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2033, aligning with the European Union’s broader push for cleaner energy. Some of the country’s oldest coal plants, including the Opatovice lignite power plant, are already transitioning, with Opatovice aiming to stop using coal by 2030. However, the shift to natural gas as an alternative has sparked controversy. While natural gas emits fewer greenhouse gases than coal, critics argue that it perpetuates reliance on fossil fuels, undermining efforts to achieve climate neutrality.
The EU’s ambitious “Fit for 55” policy, which aims to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, is driving this transition. Through emissions trading, coal power is becoming increasingly unprofitable, with funds from the system directed into the EU’s Modernisation Fund. This fund supports lower-income member states in transitioning to cleaner energy. Since 2021, the fund has distributed €15.5 billion, with Czechia, Romania, and Poland receiving the largest shares. In December, Czechia was allocated an additional €130 million, primarily for natural gas projects and waste-to-energy infrastructure.
Despite these investments, environmental groups have raised concerns. CEE Bankwatch reports that Czech plants near Vrato and Opatovice have received nearly €350 million in subsidies from the Modernisation Fund. Local environmental committee member Robert Hrdina from Pardubice acknowledges that gas is cleaner than lignite but warns of potential energy security risks. “Switching to gas will improve air quality, but it ties us to foreign energy imports,” he said. Hrdina also emphasized the need for greater focus on energy efficiency, noting that many apartment buildings lack proper insulation, which could reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.
As Czechia moves toward its coal-free future, the debate continues over whether natural gas is a necessary short-term solution or a step in the wrong direction.
