Czech Republic Revives Solar Ambitions with Auctions and Investment
The Czech Republic, once a leader in solar energy, has seen its progress stall in recent years. Despite initial growth, the sector has faced challenges, including a lack of clear targets and a controversial 'solar tax'. Now, the country is looking to revive its solar industry through auctions and renewed investment.
Solar energy entered the Czech energy sector in 2010 with a surge of interest, leading to nearly 2,000 MW of capacity installed in just two years. However, development stagnated in the following decade, with ministers dismissing solar's potential and citing high costs. The installed capacity could reach up to 3.5 GW by 2030, but this depends on new initiatives.
In an attempt to correct initial support schemes, a 'solar tax' was imposed on installations from 2009 and 2010. This, coupled with a lack of annual targets for new renewable projects, has led to a jump in electricity costs. Despite these challenges, solar energy has remained a hot topic in Czech news and politics.
The Czech Industry and Trade Ministry has called for investment in photovoltaic electricity generators, but no further calls have been announced. The Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has recently supported the introduction of auctions for new solar power projects. Martin Sedlák, from The Modern Energy Union, is also working to revive the Czech photovoltaic technology. With these efforts, the Czech Republic aims to restart its solar energy growth and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
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