MOSCOW, Apr 10 Czech citizens reduced gas and electricity consumption in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year, Czech Radio reports on Monday, citing the administration regulation of the electric power industry.
In the first quarter of 2023, Czechs used 13.3% less gas and 5% less electricity than in the same quarter last year, according to the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the report said.
This March sees even more savings compared to the March averages from 2017 to 2021, with gas consumption down by 17.4 %, and electricity by 7%.
According to Czech Radio, these figures continue the trends of last year: gas consumption in 2022 was the lowest in eight years. Rising energy prices are cited as the main reason for savings.
Gas prices in the European market rose significantly in the spring of 2021. At that time gas prices for TTF fluctuated in the range of 250-300 dollars per thousand cubic meters, by the end of summer they exceeded 600 dollars, and in autumn — already 1 thousand dollars. In the winter of 2021-2022, prices crossed the threshold of $2,000 per thousand cubic meters, and in early spring, due to fears of a ban on the import of Russian energy resources, they reached a record high of $3,892 per thousand cubic meters.
Earlier it was reported that the Czech Republic completely stopped importing gas from the Russian Federation from the beginning of 2023.
The West has increased sanctions pressure on Russia over Ukraine, which has led to higher prices for electricity, fuel and food in Europe and the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that the policy of containment and weakening of Russia is a long-term strategy of the West, and sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy. According to him, the main goal of the West is to worsen the lives of millions of people. Russia has repeatedly stated that Russia will solve all the problems that the West creates for it.