Programme priorities
ENERGY SECURITY
VS. DECARBONIZATION
BLOCK 1
UNCERTAIN FUTURE AND ENERGY POVERTY
The unpredictability of the development concerning natural gas supplies to Europe has changed the perspective on the topic of energy security and self-sufficiency. Electricity is no longer regarded as just any other commodity and the call for a rapid phase-out of coal has been drowned out by the fear of coping with the next winter heating season. About half of households must now reduce the use of energy as a consequence of the economic situation accompanied by the significant increase of prices. Energy poverty is gradually becoming a reality even in the Czech Republic and it is clear that the situation will continue to get worse. Not only households but also many companies whose production is becoming uncompetitive are calling for greater state financial assistance. The first program session will be devoted to discussion about short-term measures that need to be taken to deal with the current extraordinary situation.
Discussion points:
- Decarbonization vs. energy security
- Role of natural gas in the energy sector of tomorrow
- Self-sufficiency in power generation and the source base in the Czech Republic
- Regulation of energy prices for end consumers
- Supporting the competitiveness of industrial production in the Czech Republic
BLOCK 2
NEW ENERGY MARKET MODEL AND ITS REGULATION
The European Commission's REPowerEU program responded to the extraordinary conditions of war and temporarily allowed, for example, a cap on energy prices, redistribution of the extraordinary profits of energy companies or redistribution of emission allowance sale revenues. The search is underway for a new way of setting up the energy market which in its liberalized form is unable to cope with the shocks it is exposed to from Russia. The issue of regulating all business in the energy sector is being thrust into the spotlight. Are various subsidies, programs, guarantees and aids the solution, or is it time to create a new energy market model? The second program session will be about the current and future role and strategy of state administration in the energy sector and measures taken that will make it possible to achieve the newly established goals.
Discussion points:
- Upcoming legislative and organizational changes
- Update of state energy plans and strategies
- Management of the investment strategy in the field of electricity and heat generation
- Capacity mechanisms and ensuring the regulatory performance for energy system management
- Reform of the EU ETS and carbon tax
BLOCK 3
INVESTMENT INTO THE ENERGY OF TOMORROW AND ITS FINANCING
The risk of the disruption in natural gas supplies has triggered a huge wave of investment in the Czech Republic. Energy self-sufficiency and energy savings have become the slogan of businesses and households. The installation of renewable energy sources has intensified, and viable projects related to biomethane production are appearing. The readiness of the gas transmission and distribution system to replace Russian gas is also increasing. This is not just about the transportation of LNG, but also about hydrogen which should become the commodity of the future. Although its use in energy and transport has been discussed for more than 50 years, the State Energy Concept has not addressed hydrogen at all yet. The third program session will discuss projects the implementation of which will make sense in view of the changing energy landscape and about the proportions of available financial instruments.
Discussion points:
- Proportions and possibilities of resetting the current available financial instruments
- New technologies and upcoming investments
- EU taxonomy and its relevance for energy sustainability
- Potential for green gas production in the Czech Republic and preparedness of the gas infrastructure
- Cooperation between public administration and the commercial sphere in the development of the hydrogen economy