ENERGY, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE CZECH-REPUBLIC - AN OVERVIEW

This paper gives an overview of energy, water and the environment in the Czech Republic at a time when the oversized production of coal, energy and steel is being reduced. The percentage of electricity produced by coal is dropping, and gas and nuclear energy fill in the gap. Nuclear energy is the only domestic source for short-term development of energy production. The recovering economy and fragile but stable social situation have no reserve for a massive increase in energy import. The energy potential of the relatively small rivers is almost fully used for electricity production. The water management authorities have turned to problems of river water quality, drinking water supply, wastewater management and groundwater anti-pollution measures. Pumped storage plants are used to balance the grid production/consumption irregularities. Atmospheric pollution is critical in some valleys in conditions of windless inversion. River quality has improved, but reafforestation will take decades to complete. Political and social stability are essential at a time of recovery and privatization. The paper contains graphs of basic data, including some for Slovakia.