ČEZ ESCO's energy-saving projects in Czechia saved CZK 393 million last year, more year on year

Comprehensive energy-saving projects carried out by Enesa, part of the ČEZ ESCO group, saved clients CZK 393 million on energy bills last year, almost CZK 100 million more than the year before. ČEZ spokesman Roman Gazdík told ČTK today. The company is an industry leader in the Czech Republic, with a 60 percent market share, according to the spokesman. So-called energy performance contracting (EPC) includes modernising equipment to reduce energy consumption, typically by replacing lighting with more energy-efficient alternatives. Clients are contractually guaranteed savings by their supplier; otherwise, the supplier must pay the shortfall.

Last year, Enesa operated a total of 34 energy-saving projects across more than 500 buildings. Savings last year amounted to CZK 393 million at the previous year's energy prices. Savings above contractual guarantees totalled CZK 28 million, Gazdík said. In addition to reducing costs, the projects cut carbon dioxide emissions by 43.000 tonnes, equivalent to 16 days of operation of a conventional 100-megawatt coal-fired power unit.

According to ČEZ ESCO CEO Kamil Čermák, the potential for savings in the Czech Republic is much higher. “Overall, the state could save up to CZK 20 billion a year by modernising the energy systems of public buildings,” Čermák noted.

One of the largest projects is at the Prague Congress Centre. Under the contract, it is guaranteed minimum annual savings of CZK 24 million, while the actual savings exceed CZK 30 million at prices in the 2013 reference year.

“Thanks to the comprehensive solution, we recouped the costs of the ten-year project in just five years. Moreover, without modernisation to make the centre more environmentally friendly, we would not be able to meet what has now become a standard requirement in tenders to organise any congress: reducing our carbon footprint,” said the centre’s CEO, Lenka Žlebková.

According to ČEZ, the most frequent customers for EPC projects are municipalities, regions and their publicly funded organisations. Last year, 12 cities or city districts took part in the projects. Other major customers include hospitals; for example, a project began last year at Na Homolce Hospital in Prague.

ČEZ also sees significant potential for savings in industry. One such project is the modernisation of lighting at the Tatra Truck car factory in Kopřivnice, where lighting costs have fallen by CZK 10 million a year.

Enesa has been implementing energy-saving projects since 2006. “The total guaranteed savings across all projects to date passed CZK 2 billion last year,” said the company’s CEO, Pavol Fraňo.

ČEZ ESCO is a subsidiary of ČEZ. It focuses on services related to modern energy, decarbonisation and reducing carbon footprints for industrial customers, municipalities and institutions.