Published: 22. 1. 2024

Prague’s Na Homolka Hospital is undergoing one of the most comprehensive energy-saving projects in the Czech Republic, which includes, for example, extensive modernization of heating, air conditioning and lighting. The hospital has decided to address the necessary replacement of outdated equipment and the overall modernization of the energy management in the form of an EPC, which guarantees measurable results and where the supplier guarantees the savings directly in the contract, otherwise it must pay the difference. The supplier, ENESA from ČEZ ESCO, guarantees a minimum annual saving of 4,200 MWh of electricity and 8,700 MWh of gas, which at current prices amounts to more than CZK 30 million. crowns per year. The investment also has an environmental dimension and means an annual reduction of 5,823 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

“The basis of quality medical care is the best functioning hospitals with excellent facilities. I am pleased to see that many hospitals are now tackling their upgrades comprehensively, including long-term energy savings that will reduce waste and allow funds to be used to purchase medicines and improve conditions for staff and patients. An example is the EPC project at the Na Homolce Hospital, which I hope will become an inspiration for other healthcare facilities in the Czech Republic,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Vlastimil Válek.

“We see energy conservation as one of the key efforts to slow climate change and strengthen our energy independence. That is why in the announced subsidy calls we put emphasis on comprehensive reconstruction of public buildings that not only reduce their energy consumption, but also use renewable energy sources and improve the quality of the indoor environment. The renovation will take place thanks to two projects. The first of these will cover partial insulation of perimeter walls, replacement of boilers or a new measurement and control system, for example. The latter will help with the installation of a photovoltaic power plant and partial replacement of the air handling units. The total amount of support from the Operational Fund Environment and the New Green Savings Programme exceeds CZK 747 million,” said Environment Minister Petr Hladík.

Significant savings will be brought to the hospital by, among other things, replacing more than 10,500 luminaires with energy-saving LED lighting. The project also includes a 303 kWp photovoltaic system on the roof of five buildings, designed to consume all the electricity generated by the hospital.

“”I am very pleased that this long and carefully prepared energy-saving project has been brought to the stage of implementation. The works are not yet finished, but if they continue as before, without major complications and at the pace we have set, our hospital will be running in standard operation with a new coat and in an energy-efficient mode from May. The modernisation will bring savings and improve the quality of the environment in which we work, and at the same time it will resolve the already necessary investments in the future in the technological equipment of the buildings, in the order of several hundred million. I would also like to thank all our employees, thanks to whose patience and excellent cooperation the modernization of the hospital is being carried out under full operation without major complications.,” said Petr Polouček, director of the hospital.

The total investment in the Na Homolce Hospital amounts to almost CZK 1.1 billion. crowns. The insulation, project preparation and engineering will require 680 million CZK. crowns and the investment in the modernization of building technologies amounts to 420 million CZK. crowns. It is one of the largest comprehensive energy-saving projects in the Czech Republic. The costs of the necessary replacement of the outdated equipment and the overall modernisation of the hospital are co-financed by EU subsidies of CZK 720 million from the Operational Programme Environment and the New Green Savings Programme. The remaining investments are covered by the hospital from its own funds. The hospital expects energy cost savings of CZK 300 million. CZK in the next ten years, taking into account the expected future development of energy prices.

“EPC projects are an ideal solution for healthcare facilities to effectively reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. These are very energy-intensive operations, and they operate in a continuous mode. The investment will therefore pay off very well in the long term. The project also includes energy management, which hospitals are not able to provide themselves. His task will be mainly to monitor whether everything is running optimally and also to identify further possible savings,” adds Kamil Čermák, CEO of ČEZ ESCO.

Read the full press release here