Gas

Our senior researcher Kateřina Davidová was mentioned by the news portal E15 in their article about the mild winter weather contributing to cheaper gas. The article also highlights the possible consequences of the current "warm winter".

The negotiations in Brussels are led by Czech Minister Jozef Síkela. According to him, a plan is ready and he believes in an agreement. Government representatives will try to agree on a cap on gas prices. Our researcher Vít Havelka commented on this topic for ČT24.

While businesses and households can save gas, they are not doing so with electricity. Why is that? A study on this topic has been produced and commented on by its co-author and our researcher Michal Hrubý for the Czech Radio stations ČRo Plus and Radiožurnál.

Slovenia plans to build a gas pipeline to Central Europe to help Central European countries get rid of their dependence on Russian gas. Our researcher Michal Hrubý also commented on the topic for E15.

Our researcher Michal Hrubý wrote an article on ESG and natural gas for the magazine EkonTech.cz. He comments on the current development of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), including the role of taxonomy and natural gas as a basic commodity for industry and households.

European Union countries are facing a period of gas consumption cuts. Although the proposal agreed by Member States aims for a voluntary reduction of 15% in consumption in the coming months compared to the average of the past five years, the pressure for even greater savings will grow. And not only in natural gas consumption, but also in electricity. Our researcher Michal Hrubý has written an overview of gas and its use in the Czech Republic, in which he highlights the need for savings to help us get through this year's heating season and answers several questions related to gas consumption. Where does the Czech Republic stand on gas? What are our supplies and where to get new capacity? And how can we save for next winter? These questions are also answered in the review. We will update the overview gradually (originally published on 1 August 2022).

The current price stability of the gas market does not mean the end of problems with possible shortages. The European Commission has therefore prepared a series of measures to stabilise the market and ensure that there will be plenty of gas next year. Our senior research fellow Kateřina Davidová commented on what measures are on the table and how individual countries will respond to the crisis.

European leaders agree on how to tackle the current gas situation. The solution should be joint purchases or compulsory solidarity between countries in case of emergency. Two instruments to limit the price of gas were agreed. The first is a dynamic price limit, which should moderate prices in the event of a rapid increase. The second should ensure that prices are corrected in the event of fluctuations during daily trading on the stock exchange. Our research fellow Michal Hrubý provided his view on these solutions to Mladá fronta Dnes.

Our research fellow Michal Hrubý appeared on CNN Prima NEWS on the topic of EU cost saving measures. The EU proposes, for example, joint gas purchases or avoiding extreme price fluctuations.

Jakub Ferenčík has written a blog on German dependence on Russian gas. In his post he discusses how the German government's initially positive intention to tie Russia to Europe through economic intergation for political stability has backfired and resulted in the opposite. It mentions the role of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who contributed significantly to Germany's dependence on Russian supplies, and the circumstances surrounding the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The second part analyses the legacy of former Chancellor Merkel and her failure to perceive Russian expansionist tendencies.

At a joint meeting of EU ministers, possible solutions to high gas prices were discussed. Our researcher Michal Hrubý commented on the meeting for Událostí, komentáře ČT24. He warned, for example, against capping prices of gas used for electricity production, which could lead to the exhaustion of gas reserves due to low prices. On the other hand, he positively assessed the planned joint European purchases of gas, which could significantly help the Czech economy.

The Czech Republic is not saving enough natural gas. Last year was above average in terms of gas consumption. Moreover, the country is slowly getting into a situation where it is drawing more from its reserves and storing less. How will the Czech Republic cope with the heating season? Our researcher Michal Hrubý commented on the topic of natural gas for Czech Radio.