Czech Republic seeks 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan

The Czech Republic aims to import two billion cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan. Deliveries could begin between 2028 and 2029, Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček said during a visit to Azerbaijan today. The agreement has not yet been signed, but the contract has been promised and is well on track, he added. Shortly before, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said that energy company ČEZ is pursuing the gas supplies.

Gas consumption in the Czech Republic rose by 6.5% year-on-year to a total of 7.2 billion cubic meters last year, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Office.

According to Havlíček, the annual cost of the gas would be around CZK 20 billion, depending on the length of the contract. To secure a favorable price, the minister said the Czech Republic would likely need to commit to a contract lasting 10 to 15 years. Azerbaijan currently supplies gas to ten EU countries; the Czech Republic would become the eleventh.