Industrial real estate developer CTP and ČEZ ESCO, a subsidiary of the Czech Republic’s largest energy company ČEZ, have launched a new 5.5 megawatt (MW) rooftop solar power installation. The combined project is located in and around Brno and is confirmed as the largest of its kind in the South Moravian region.

The installation includes nearly 86,000 square metres of solar panels covering the roofs of industrial halls at CTPark Brno and CTPark Brno South. This area is equivalent to twelve football pitches. The power plants are anticipated to reduce emissions by more than 2,800 tons of CO₂ each year.

The photovoltaic (PV) systems are situated at CTPark Brno in the Černovické terasy industrial zone and CTPark Brno South in nearby Blučina. Upon completion, the facilities will produce over 5.2 GWh of emission-free energy annually. This volume corresponds to the energy needs of 1,500 average households. The development is part of a long-term collaboration between CTP and ČEZ ESCO to deliver sustainable energy solutions across CTP’s portfolio of industrial parks.

Jakub Kodr, Managing Director of CTP in the Czech Republic, stated: “Sustainability is a long-term commitment for us, not just part of our strategy. The construction of photovoltaic systems for our own consumption is another step toward the energy self-sufficiency of our parks and reducing their carbon footprint. As part of our strategic partnership with ČEZ ESCO, we want to develop smart and effective solutions that bring savings to our clients while moving the entire sector towards modern energy.”

The largest component of the scheme is the 3 MW PV system being finalised at CTPark Brno South in Blučina. It is the largest rooftop PV system in South Moravia, covering over 51,000 square metres. It is expected to produce 2.8 GWh of clean energy and save 1,600 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. The tenant of this specific building is Inventec, a manufacturer of chips for the automotive industry.

ČEZ ESCO has also installed PV systems on two rooftops at CTPark Brno. These installations span nearly 35,000 square metres. One building is a warehouse for the server and data storage manufacturer Wistron, while the other is used by technology companies Honeywell and Hitachi. The systems generate 2.3 GWh of electricity per year, with Wistron consuming more than half for its operational needs.

Eric Lin, CEO of Wistron, commented on the development: “This project is another step in our long-term commitment to sustainable and responsible operations. At Wistron, we are systematically looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint while increasing energy efficiency. Using green electricity from photovoltaic sources allows us to partially cover the consumption of our production facility and reduce our dependence on external energy supplies. This project fits into our global environmental strategy, which aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and promote environmentally friendly innovations.”

Kamil Čermák, CEO of ČEZ ESCO, highlighted the scale of the partnership: “As our strategic partner, CTP takes decarbonisation very seriously and has a long-term interest in modern trends. Dozens of our photovoltaic systems have already proven themselves in full operation throughout Czechia, and we are now finalising several large projects in Brno. This year, we should commission more than 5 MW of solar power plants for CTP, specifically at CTPark Brno and at CTPark Brno South. The photovoltaic system in CTPark Brno South will be the largest rooftop and largest corporate photovoltaic system in South Moravia. I am delighted that solar energy sources have gradually become standard and that companies perceive them as something completely natural.”

CTP is currently exploring other avenues for cooperation with ČEZ ESCO to improve energy savings and promote greener operations. These possibilities include the installation of more energy efficient lighting and advanced heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems. ČEZ ESCO’s subsidiary AZ Klima is already building these technologies for CTP in the South Moravia region. A further opportunity lies in using comprehensive energy saving projects under the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) model, where the supplier contractually guarantees the achievement of agreed upon energy savings.