At the beginning of this month, changes to gas transmission tariffs were announced for the Czech and Austrian transmission systems, effective 1 January 2026. The changes are quite significant, and some individual tariffs change by more than 100 percent year-on-year. The changes are so significant that they will probably be felt not only by domestic gas consumers, but also by consumers in neighbouring markets who are supplied through affected countries.
Wholesale market spreads will probably be adjusted; in the customer market, the local suppliers will most likely pass on any additional costs incurred to customers.
All larger gas consumers located in the Czech Republic or Slovakia should review their gas supply contracts for 2026 (if already contracted) and determine how the issue of transmission costs will be addressed in their contracts. If a business has not contracted for 2026, the issue of transmission costs should be clearly addressed in the procurement process.
Natural gas contracts differ in the Czech and Slovak markets. Some Czech suppliers refer in their offers to transmission tariffs valid for Germany and the Czech Republic (transmission route from Germany to the Czech Republic), while some Slovak suppliers refer to Austrian and Slovak tariffs (transmission route from Austria to Slovakia).
It is very important to understand and properly address the issue of transmission costs in your RFP evaluation process and subsequently in your cost forecasting and budgeting process.
The specialist local team at NUS Consulting Group can support your energy procurement and risk management needs in the Czech Republic and Slovakian markets.