The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic approved an amendment to the Energy Act, known as Lex gas, which aims to simplify and speed up the process of permitting the construction of new steam power plants. This legislative step is intended to ensure the country's energy stability at a time when coal-fired power sources are expected to gradually decline, thus contributing to a smoother transition to a more sustainable energy mix.

The amendment responds to the growing need to replace coal-fired capacity, as well as the European Union's requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The new law, nicknamed Lex gas, was adopted after several months of debate, which revealed different views on the future of the Czech energy sector. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT), gas-fired power plants, which burn natural gas and produce electricity with lower carbon dioxide emissions than coal-fired power plants, have a key role to play in ensuring sufficient generation capacity in the transition period.

The Czech Republic has committed to phasing out coal by 2033 as part of a broader decarbonisation strategy in line with the EU's climate targets. Coal currently accounts for around 40 % of the country's electricity generation, and its replacement is considered one of the biggest challenges for the energy sector.

The Lex gas amendment introduces a simplified permitting process to reduce administrative hurdles and enable faster construction of steam gas sources. For example, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) deadlines will be reduced by several months and some projects will be able to be classified as "strategic", giving them a faster route to implementation.

According to the MIT estimates, new CCGT plants could cover up to 15 % of electricity consumption in the Czech Republic by 2030, which would significantly contribute to the country's energy security. Proponents of the amendment, including Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), argue that natural gas is a "transitional fuel" that will enable a stable transition to renewable sources such as solar and wind power plants, whose development is not yet fast enough.

Environmental organisations such as Greenpeace CR and Hnutí DUHA warn that massive investment in natural gas infrastructure could lead to long-term dependence on fossil fuels, which is contrary to the EU's 2050 carbon neutrality targets.

Critics also point to rising gas prices on the European market, which have increased several times since the start of the energy crisis in 2022, and the geopolitical risk of dependence on gas imports, especially in the context of tense relations with Russia.

On the other hand, energy companies welcome the amendment. According to them, CCGTs are essential to ensure the stability of the electricity grid, as renewable sources such as wind and solar are weather-dependent and their output fluctuates. Plans to build new CCGT plants already include projects in locations such as Mělník and Tušimice, where they could replace existing coal-fired units.

The adoption of Lex gas is part of the Czech Republic's broader energy strategy, which also includes the development of nuclear power and renewable energy. The government recently announced plans to build new nuclear units at Dukovany and Temelin, but this will take time and the first new reactors will not be operational until the 1940s.

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