Czech Energy Union criticizes EU taxonomy rules
The Czech Energy Union (SEČR) expressed its view on the EU taxonomy rules during consultations with the European Commission, stating that they complicate the shift away from coal and do not reflect investment reality.
Nuclear energy is classified in the taxonomy only as a temporary source. SEČR demands either permanent inclusion among sustainable investments, or a shift of key deadlines — for the deep storage plan from 2040 to 2060 and for obtaining a construction permit from 2045 to 2065.
The gas sector hits the 2030 deadline for construction permits for new sources and 2035 for replacing natural gas with hydrogen or biomethane. According to SEČR's executive director Josef Kotrb, these deadlines are unattainable given the length of permitting processes and the realistic availability of hydrogen and biomethane.
The closure of coal-fired power plants in the Czech Republic is accelerating, but their low‑emission replacement with gas and nuclear sources is still in the planning stage. Without a taxonomy revision, SEČR says it will be difficult to secure financing for these projects.
The taxonomy revision should be published in the second quarter of 2026.