Czechia has secured a natural gas capacity of 3 bcm/year from the Eemshaven LNG terminal in the Netherlands. The move is meant to strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce its energy dependence on Russia. It is expected that the 8 bcm/year Dutch LNG terminal will be used immediately after its launch, which is planned for September 2022.
The gas volume secured is equivalent to a third of Czechia’s total volume imported from Russia. The country has also secured new transport pipeline capacity to be able to convey the gas to Czechia.
CEZ, the country’s main electricity producer and distributor, is currently negotiating with various LNG suppliers to secure as much liquefied natural gas as possible for the upcoming heating season. In June 2022, an EU directive required member states to fill up existing gas storage facilities on their respective territory to at least 80% of their capacity by 1 November 2022.