In the event of a gas shortage, the government would limit heating for households to keep key components of industry running, announced Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela.
The ministry has prepared a draft regulation on rules for heating, which would come into force in the event of a declaration of emergency prevention or an emergency in the heating industry. The government is preparing to heat buildings at lower temperatures. For example, people should heat living rooms to 18 degrees Celsius instead of 20 degrees. Bathrooms should be heated at 19 instead of 24 degrees Celsius.
“We would do it at the cost of trying to keep the crucial components of industry running,” Síkela said.
Regarding the proposals to limit the heating supply in the case of an emergency, the minister said that these are scenarios that no one wants, but the government must be ready in advance.
On Tuesday, the ministers also discussed the planned energy-saving tariff for households. The results of the meeting are not yet known.
Síkela repeated that, according to the proposal of the Ministry of Industry, the total allowance for households with the highest consumption should be around 17,500 korunas (€712). According to the minister, about 5,000 korunas (€204) per person will be paid out this year. Deductions for renewable resources and other fees will be crucial to the final contribution.
Some experts are criticizing the fact that specific monetary figures are missing from the published draft energy-saving tariff. Prime Minister Petr Fiala told reporters that the government would decide on them at a regular meeting by the end of August.
The ministers also talked about current energy developments, steps taken by individual European countries, and other potential scenarios that could affect the Czech economy.
