Lenka Žlebková is a graduate of Prague University of Economics and Business, majoring in international business with a focus on tourism. During her studies, she completed two internships – at the École supérieure de commerce in Paris focusing on international marketing and in the United States in a management trainee program at the Marriott hotel chain. The main stages of her career were the positions of sales and Marketing Director at President Hotel Prague, product manager and board member at CzechTourism, and Director at the Prague Convention Bureau. At the Prague Congress Centre, she was first the Sales and Marketing Director in 2016, and since March 2020, she has been the General Manager of the Centre.
Several years of a complex energy-saving project were crowned this year by the launch of our own rooftop photovoltaics. These measures with the ČEZ ESCO label will help the Prague Congress Centre (PCC) save CZK 50 million annually. “Last year, we saved a quarter more than guaranteed thanks to the well-implemented energy-saving measures. Another significant saving will be provided by production in our own rooftop photovoltaic power plant. In our case, it is true that what is ecological can also be economical,” says Lenka Žlebková, General Director of the Prague Congress Centre.
The new photovoltaic system is on the roof and already generating electricity. How much of your consumption will it cover?
It works out to about 10 per cent of our annual consumption. We have been planning photovoltaics on the roof for several years. This is a logical step because it continues a comprehensive energy-saving project that has been running successfully at the Prague Congress Centre for seven years.
Apart from increasing energy self-sufficiency, how is the installation of rooftop photovoltaics advantageous for you?
After careful consideration, we finally preferred the “Photovoltaics for CZK 1” financing model when choosing a supplier. This allowed us to get a rooftop power plant without any investment from us, with the cost of the project being borne by the supplier ČEZ ESCO. They will also operate the plant for us, and we will repay them through the price of the electricity we use.
How long will it take?
The contract is for 13 years, and then we can buy the plant for one crown and produce our own energy.
How much do you save per year with rooftop photovoltaics?
At last year’s prices, it was about CZK 6 million a year. It could be even more in the future.
As you mentioned, you have been a fan of green solutions in the Congress Centre for a long time, and it is not just about this year’s photovoltaics…
You are right. Our technologically unique energy-saving project is one of the largest of its kind in the Czech Republic. It was already launched under the former PCC directors in 2016, and today, I must say that it was a truly prudent decision. After all, until 2016, the cost of electricity, gas, and water swallowed up almost CZK 74 million annually!
What had to be changed?
The modernisation affected the heating, air conditioning, lighting, and cogeneration installation. Altogether, it required an investment of CZK 135 million. ENESA from the ČEZ ESCO group has been with us from the beginning, guaranteeing a minimum annual saving of CZK 24 million. Our partner would have ade up the difference if we had not achieved it. But it was not necessary.
So, did you save more?
That is right. Last year alone, we saved more than CZK 50 million. Of course, if you recalculate it, considering last year’s high energy prices. But that is how much it would have cost us to run the centre without the cost-saving measures. Over the seven years of the project’s operation, we have reduced electricity costs by 53%, gas by 29%, and water by 19%. We have achieved a total savings of CZK 209 million. This is a considerable figure, already saving more than 35%. The total guaranteed savings over the ten years of the project should be at least CZK 235 million. This will reduce consumption by 30 per cent.
Did it also mean a less environmental impact of the operation?
Absolutely! In recent years, we have seen the environmental burden of downtown operations go down. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 72,000 tonnes so far. We are indeed proof that what is ecological can also be economic.
When did you think it all made sense?
It was sometime in the second half of last year, during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, when a number of official events were held in this country. At that moment, it was realised how the centre has benefited from energy modernisation and what comfort it can provide to guests who could compare us to congress buildings worldwide. The response convinced us that the many years of effort had paid off.
Plans for an addition to the centre have recently been lying on the table. Is this still the case, and will modern energy be considered here?
The new exhibition hall is crucial not only for us but for the development of all congress tourism in Prague. During the pandemic, we postponed the construction and are now returning to the plans. The increase in capacity will allow us to bring the most prestigious international congresses and events to Prague, which, in addition to increasing the PCC’s revenues, will contribute significantly to public budgets and the city coffers. Our congress delegates often and happily return to Prague as tourists and, unlike weekend “beer” tourists, spend much more time here. According to the ICCA rankings, Prague is the world’s fifth most attractive congress destination, and our hall will help us keep it at the top even further. In addition, the hall is designed to meet LEED Gold certification, the highest standard for building sustainability. Not only will it be energy efficient, but it will also benefit the people of Prague. In fact, the project includes the revitalisation of the surroundings of Pankrác Square. It should become a modern living space that, together with nearby medieval Vyšehrad, will attract people to take pleasant walks and have an active leisure time.
Thank you for the interview.
