Because of the drought, hydroelectric plants on the Vltava produced only 40 to 50 percent of the long-term average in 2026, according to a spokesman for the ČEZ Group; the figure was given on 9 October 2026.
Because of the drought and low flows, hydroelectric plants on the Vltava cascade have generated only 40 to 50 percent of the electricity of the long-term average since the start of 2026. The figure of 9 October 2026 was given by Martin Schreier, spokesman for the ČEZ Group [1][2][3].
Flows and output
28 cubic metres of water per second flowed from the Vrané water facility towards Prague. The two turbine sets of the power plant there can process up to 180 cubic metres per second together [1][3]. The Orlík power plant, with an inflow of roughly 15 cubic metres per second, could use at most that volume, and its output fell to less than half of the original value [1][3]. The Lipno I, Lipno II, Hněvkovice and Kořensko plants used only the water needed for minimum flows and produced tens of percent less than under normal conditions [1][3]. Schreier said that all Vltava hydroelectric plants are in operation, but their output is markedly reduced [1][3].
Supply at peak demand
According to ČEZ Group, the plants cannot guarantee supply at the time of greatest peak demand. The group is replacing the missing output from other sources, above all from the Dalešice pumped-storage power plant in the Třebíč area [1][3].
Measures in the regions
Water in the reservoirs is gradually decreasing because of the drought and the augmentation of flows [1][2]. A state of water shortage applies on the Vltava and the Elbe in Central Bohemia, as decided by the regional drought commission on Wednesday 7 October 2026. The commission made it possible to reduce the minimum outflow from the Vltava cascade at Vrané from 35 to 20 cubic metres per second, until 30 April 2027. The measure is meant to slow the fall in levels at the Slapy Reservoir and possibly also at the Orlík Dam [1][3]. Details of the declaration are in the article Declaration of a state of water shortage on the Vltava and the Elbe.
The South Bohemian Region declared a state of drought for the entire region on Tuesday 6 October 2026. This makes it easier for the region to adjust outflows from reservoirs, because a shortened procedure applies in which the river basin authority, in cooperation with the region, can change an outflow immediately. Under normal conditions other institutions, for example the anglers' association, would comment on the proposal, and the procedure would take several days [1][3].
Related articles: Declaration of a water shortage on the Vltava and Elbe (October 2026), Vltava, ČEZ Group
Chronology
- — Hydroelectric plants on the Vltava are producing only 40 to 50 percent of their long-term average because of drought, according to a spokesperson for the ČEZ Group. ČTK / České noviny ČT24: regiony
Pages linking here
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 9 October 2026
- ČT24: regiony — 9 October 2026
- iDNES.cz — 9 October 2026