OKIN Facility is one of the largest facility management companies in Central and Eastern Europe. What current challenges and opportunities do you see in energy management across the markets where you operate? A key challenge is adapting to legislative changes based on the EU’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. New laws, including the mandatory implementation of energy management in large companies, are forcing businesses to re-evaluate their approaches to energy consumption. At the same time, however, a number of opportunities are emerging – companies are beginning to understand energy efficiency as a tool for competitiveness and sustainability.

OKIN Facility therefore works not only with those who already have an energy management system in place, but also with companies that are just getting started with energy management. We help them set up processes that are energy- and cost-efficient in the long term and ready to meet strategic carbon emission reduction targets.

Czech companies often perceive the means of achieving energy efficiency primarily as a cost, not an investment. How are you managing to change this view among your clients?
Primarily through concrete practice in the form of energy audits, which clearly show the return on investment and benefits of individual measures. The audit provides suggestions for improving the energy efficiency of operations and also calculates the return on investment, energy savings, reduction in CO2 emissions and direct financial savings. It also takes into account the specific needs of individual companies and sets the order of the proposed steps. It is always key to view the business as a whole, including all factors that affect its energy consumption.

Which energy management technologies or procedures work best in practice today?
One of the most effective energy management practices is to conduct a high-quality energy audit, which enables the company to identify the most energy-intensive equipment and analyse its actual consumption. Based on this data, targeted measures can then be proposed to reduce consumption, whether in heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning or energy-intensive operations in manufacturing and services. Investments in these measures have proven to be highly profitable in practice.
Another proven step is to use the savings to introduce renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic power plants, heat pumps or geothermal systems. It is always essential to adapt the choice of technology to the specific conditions and needs of the business.

Which areas are the most commonly overlooked „energy guzzlers“ in logistics and building management?
These are mainly outdated machinery and equipment, building structures and heating or cooling systems without the standard required thickness of thermal insulation, oversized or undersized equipment, light sources with high electricity consumption, and equipment with instant high power consumption. In short, it can be just parts of a building, but also entire facilities, machines, and structures.

„I clearly see ESG reporting and decarbonisation targets as an opportunity to improve business processes, not as an obligation.“

European regulation in the field of energy and ESG is growing stronger. Do you consider ESG reporting and decarbonisation targets to be an „unpleasant“ obligation or an opportunity to improve corporate processes?
I clearly see ESG reporting and decarbonisation targets as an opportunity to improve business processes, not as an obligation. When I started working in building energy efficiency as a certified civil engineer almost twenty-two years ago, few people understood why I placed such emphasis on thermal protection of structures and heat loss and gain in buildings. Thanks to systematic explanations, return on investment calculations and an emphasis on long-term comfort and low operating costs, I gradually gained the trust of clients and colleagues. Practical results began to show quickly, especially after a significant increase in energy prices.
Today, technologies such as renewable sources, intelligent control, artificial intelligence and robotisation are no longer a matter of prestige, but a necessity. They enable the efficient and sustainable use of energy resources, reduce fossil fuel consumption and limit CO₂ emissions. Energy is not lost — it only changes form. That is why it is crucial to know your capacities and actively use the opportunities we have today to transform them into the basis for long-term sustainable operation.

How much do you think companies will have to invest in the coming years to achieve carbon neutrality and avoid sanctions or restrictions on access to financing?
I like to answer this question with a comparison to human metabolism. Every organism needs a certain amount of energy to survive. If it takes in more than it expends, it begins to build up reserves, ages and wears out. A sustainable approach consists of a balance between intake and expenditure — that is, controlled consumption, high-quality energy sources and exercise. Companies should do the same: invest wisely, adjust consumption and use renewable resources. Those who do nothing will eventually face high costs for repairs, compensation or additional measures. And these will become more demanding with each passing day.

What impact could global political changes – such as the election of Donald Trump – have on European climate commitments and, consequently, on corporate strategy in the CEE region?
I don’t dare to predict the extent or impact of possible changes in high politics. Every century so far has brought a geopolitical redistribution of the world. We are probably at a milestone and are part of the energy redistribution of the energy resources used by countries with economic advantages. The European Union is taking all steps to ensure that Member States are energy, environmentally and economically sustainable so that future generations do not suffer from energy poverty as a result of climate change. The introduction of energy management will provide an external overview and analysis of historical and current energy use. This basic knowledge predicts the behaviour of society, flexibility in the energy market and strategic planning with the aim of developing the company.

Where do you see energy management in 5-10 years? Will buildings really manage their own operations?
Independent building management is no longer a vision of the future; many buildings are already capable of this today. Intelligent systems can automatically control lighting, heating, cooling and energy consumption according to current operations. Some buildings even produce more energy than they consume and share the surplus. In the coming years, we expect a shift towards fully automated operations connected to renewable sources.
In the future, energy management will be increasingly based on consumption prediction, smart resource management and the ability to respond in real time. This will enable more efficient use of renewable resources and a more economical approach to fossil fuels. At the same time, it will be necessary to create reserves for investment in climate measures. This is one of the reasons why we see ESG reporting as a key tool for responsible corporate governance.

Transcript of an interview published in the print version of Logisic News, author Markéta Vojáčková