Czech Republic reduces its dependence on Russian gas by 95 % in 8 months

Prague, Feb. 1. The Czech Republic has reduced its dependence on Russian gas by 95 % in the last eight months thanks to imports from Norway and liquefied natural gas from overseas through the Netherlands, local media report today, quoting the conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

"We were almost 100% dependent on Russian gas and today the situation is completely different," the government leader said yesterday.

Fiala said dependence on Russian gas has gone from 97 % to 4 % in the last eight months, a decrease of 95 %.

The country decreased gas consumption by 19% last year, also due to the mild weather, which has reduced pressure on prices.

This lower consumption has contributed to the fact that gas reserves are now at 74 percent, the highest level in recent years at this time of year.

In addition, the central European country has gas reserves in Dutch liquefied natural gas terminals equivalent to 40 percent of annual consumption.

Prague has set itself the goal of completely reducing its dependence on Russian gas and also wants to stop buying crude oil from Russia, which currently accounts for 50 percent of imports of this fuel. EFE

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