Martin Václavek is a graduate of the Technical University of Ostrava and has been working for a long time in managerial positions in companies in Northern Moravia. He has been the CEO and Managing Director of ČEZ Energo s.r.o. since 2021, and in 2022, he became the Chairman of the Board of COGEN Czech – the association for combined heat and power production.
Your company is part of the ČEZ ESCO Group, a leader in efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly solutions. What solutions does ČEZ Energo offer specifically?
Yes, our company ČEZ Energo is part of the ČEZ ESCO group, which is a leader in efficient, economical, and ecological energy solutions. Within ČEZ Energo, we specialise in a wide range of comprehensive services in the field of combined heat and power (CHP) using cogeneration units. Our customers have access to innovative and smart energy solutions that are characterised by key factors in the following areas: CHP units, combined heat and power, service and maintenance, a broad client base and sustainability and innovation.
Our company is firmly embedded in the context of the modern energy industry, and we proudly continue our commitment to providing the best smart energy-saving solutions to our customers.
The energy crisis is slowly subsiding. Why should business managers and public officials invest in smart savings solutions?
Undoubtedly, the energy crisis is gradually starting to ease, but this does not mean that business managers and public officials should back away from investing in smart energy-saving solutions. On the contrary, these times offer an ideal opportunity to focus on sustainability and efficiency for several reasons:
• Financial efficiency, where increased energy efficiency results in lower fuel and electricity consumption, which is good for the budget.
• Environmental friendliness and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other unwanted effects.
• A competitive advantage that can create a positive reputation as an environmentally responsible organisation.
• Managing future risks. Even if the energy crisis seems to be on the wane, it is not worth neglecting possible future risks, such as fluctuations in energy prices and sudden changes in supply.
• Regulatory pressures on environmental protection and sustainability may increase in the future. Overall, even in a period when the energy crisis may be subsiding, it is still wise and strategic to focus on efficient and sustainable energy practices. This will have a positive impact not only on the economy of companies and institutions, but also on the environment and society as a whole.
The complexity of energy-saving solutions is not cheap, and not everyone is able to allocate investment for them. Can you help with this problem?
Comprehensive energy-saving solutions require significant investment. However, this is where we are ready to help our customers and find suitable and sustainable financial models for them.
Our goal is to ensure that our energy solutions deliver long-term value and return on investment. That is why we offer our customers financing for all investment and operating costs, allowing our customers to enjoy the benefits of modern technology without significantly impacting their financial situation.
One of our approaches is EPC – Energy Performance Contracting – a financing model, which allows customers to finance investments in energy-saving measures from the operational savings they achieve through our solutions. This means that clients do not have to invest large amounts of their own capital, but the financing is paid for from the real savings achieved through energy efficiency. We are here to tailor our solutions to the individual needs and capabilities of each customer. We believe that cost-saving solutions are an investment in the future that can not only bring cost savings but also increase the competitiveness and sustainability of a business.
In Ostrava, you are building the largest storage system – the largest battery, in the Czech Republic. What will it be used for, and what can it mean for companies?
We are currently finalising the construction of the largest battery in the Czech Republic in Ostrava. Europe’s energy sector is changing dynamically, but secure energy supply and grid stability remain fundamental. Therefore, there is a growing demand for capacities for reliable energy storage or, conversely, for fast energy delivery, as well as for the provision of so-called support services.
The large-capacity battery at Vítkovice will operate in conjunction with the conventional unit, which is a major regional energy supplier. Its customers include Třinecké železárny, Vítkovice Holding, Vítkovice Hospital Ostrava, and households in the surrounding area. In addition to conventional energy storage, the battery will enable the provision of various types of support services led by primary frequency control. In practice, when the frequency in the network drops below 50 Hz, the battery system will start to supply regulated energy within milliseconds, and, on the contrary, when the frequency is above 50 Hz, it will withdraw it from the system. This has several advantages for companies. The storage system will allow companies to use electricity at times when it is more costeffective and avoid more expensive peak prices during periods of high demand. In addition, the system serves as a back-up power source in case of potential outages. The companies also contribute to sustainability and ecology as the battery promotes the use of renewable energy sources. In addition, they can manage their electricity consumption more efficiently and thus reduce costs.
Thank you for the interview.
