Czech energy leap: Algerian gas fuels 100k households
The Czech Republic is continuing its efforts to become independent from Russian energy resources. As of October, the Czechs have made significant strides, particularly in terms of natural gas. The country has secured a new supplier, marking its first partnership with an African nation.
Last month, the Czech Republic began importing natural gas from Algeria, as reported by the company ČEZ. The gas is delivered via pipelines through Tunisia and Italy. The volume of imports meets the needs of approximately 100,000 households, stated a spokesperson for the Prague-based Czech energy company.
The supplier is the Algerian state-owned company Sonatrach. "We have taken another step to increase our energy security," commented Daniel Benes, CEO of ČEZ, as quoted by the Saudi Al-Arabiyya news service.
The Czech Republic also imports gas from Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands. It aims to decrease Russia's revenue from selling "blue fuel" not only by diversifying supply sources but also through efficient use of energy resources.
In 2023, Czechs consumed approximately 6.8 billion cubic metres of gas, which is a decrease of 10.4% compared to 2022, reports the Arabian portal.
Billions of euros into Putin's "wallet"
The Czech journey toward independence from Russian energy remains long. This also involves not financing Vladimir Putin's regime and its military actions.
In October, the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research in Helsinki and the Center for Democracy Studies in Sofia published reports indicating that from the start of the invasion on February 24, 2022, until the end of June 2024, the Czechs paid Russia 7 billion euros (10.5 billion CAD) for gas and oil, and in addition, these imports generated 2.3 billion euros (3.4 billion CAD) in tax revenues for the Kremlin.
It should be noted that Czechs, like their Slovakian and Hungarian counterparts, continue to benefit from exemptions on EU restrictions related to purchasing Russian energy resources.
"We have managed to significantly reduce imports of Russian energy raw materials into the European Union, but we need to continue this effort," wrote Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela to European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in September.
