It has been almost 20 years since every customer of electricity can choose their supplier. In the gas market, this option has been in place for 18 years. Functioning open energy markets, both in the Czech Republic and within the framework of international cooperation, enable consumers to freely choose a supplier, and thus better conditions for consumers, not only from the point of view of commodity prices themselves, but also of additional accompanying services. Also for this reason, there is vigorous competition in the field of energy supplies in the Czech Republic.

As can be seen from the statistical data of the market operator, which administers supplier changes in the Czech Republic, interest in changing energy suppliers has not abated even in 2024. Last year, 579,344 customers decided to change their electricity supplier, and a total of 204,696 customers decided to change their gas supplier. Thus, interest in changing electricity and gas suppliers is still at high levels. In the gas market, this is a more than twenty percent increase in changes compared to 2023, when 171,306 supplier changes took place.

Customers change suppliers for many reasons, whether due to the end of fixed-term contracts, price developments on the electricity market or gas market, or because of additional services offered beyond the scope of electricity or gas supply, or due to generally better information about the market situation. The data show that last year, customers most often switched to larger suppliers, such as ČEZ Prodej, PRE and E.ON.  However, the majority of supplier changes traditionally take place at the beginning of January, but as can be seen from OTE's statistics, customers' efforts to change their supplier can also be seen in the following months. Most customers switched suppliers in 2021, which was marked by the onset of the energy crisis. At that time, however, the changes were mainly influenced by the collapse of some suppliers.

"The results of the statistics for the past year show that the electricity and gas supply market in the Czech Republic is functioning. Customers have learned to navigate the market environment, they monitor price developments and the associated various price offers from which they choose the most advantageous. We are happy to help with this, both from the point of view of the administration of the entire process of changing suppliers, and also by organizing short-term markets that provide price signals", says Michal Puchel, chairman of the company's board of directors OTE, a.s.

"The electricity market in the Czech Republic is open to all consumers of electricity and gas. Each of them can choose a supplier according to their decision. I am pleased that the market operator and its system smoothly processes these transitions between suppliers, regardless of the reason for the change of supplier, the situation on the electricity market and the gas market, and overall thus contributes to the development of the energy industry as a whole," adds Igor Chemišinec, deputy chairman of the OTE board of directors.

For more information, including charts, please see the attached press release here.