Lifting lignite mining limits – correction of the Czech Republic energy policy

ABSTRACT

In its decision from October 2015, the Government of the Czech Republic corrected its raw material and energy policies by modifying the scope of the territorial ecological limits placed on the mining of lignite. Such action is impacting the energy sector operating in the North Bohemian Basin, the largest region for lignite production in the Czech Republic. This article explains the background of the mining restrictions and the significance of the Czech government’s decision to amend them for the district heating industry; the composition of the future energy portfolio for electricity production; and the energy security of the Czech Republic.

KEYWORDS:

• coal
• Czech Republic
• electricity production
• energy security
• heating sector

Acknowledgments

This study was made possible by financial support from the grant project No. SP2016/12 financed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic and the grant project of Masaryk University “Europe in Changing International Environment II” (MUNI/A/1113/2015).