Investment in energy-efficiency projects has increased tenfold in a year, with 300 in Czechia

Investment in EPC energy-efficiency projects has increased tenfold over the past year to two billion crowns. In total, around 300 projects have been carried out in 1460 buildings in Czechia over the past 30 years. In recent years, projects have grown in scale and complexity, with hospitals and healthcare facilities now the most common sites. Miroslav Marada, chairman of the Association of Energy Service Providers, said this at a discussion today marking the 30th anniversary of EPC projects in Czechia. According to him, the projects have so far delivered energy savings worth 6.1 billion crowns.

So-called energy performance contracting (EPC) involves modernising equipment to reduce energy use, typically by replacing lighting with more efficient alternatives, for example. Contracts guarantee clients that their provider will deliver the savings; otherwise, the provider must make up the shortfall.

„In one year, this method delivers more energy-saving projects than it used to in ten years. When we started using EPC in this country, it was seen as a bit of a strange novelty, but no one thinks that today. Our figures show how far we have come and how much this can save for individual clients,“ Marada said.

According to the association, EPC energy savings also have an environmental benefit. Data show that the projects have cut carbon dioxide emissions by 966.000 tonnes, equivalent to the amount absorbed annually by around 48 million trees. Despite growing interest in energy-saving projects, the association says there is still room for improvement in Czechia, particularly in terms of legislative support.

„According to estimates by ČEZ, the potential savings in public buildings alone are as high as 20 billion crowns a year. Although we are currently among the EU leaders, there are still steps that could make it easier to prepare and carry out more projects,“ Marada added.