CTP is acting on its ambitious Solar Plan
CTP continues with the construction of photovoltaic power stations on the roofs of its industrial-logistics warehouses in its CTParks. Equipping all solar-ready roofs in the Czech CTP portfolio is a core part of its long-term strategy to create sustainable parks with solutions targeting energy independence and creating islands of sustainability. They will not only be energetically neutral, but energetically positive, and as such will contribute electricity to the grid. CTP wants to build a PV production capacity up to 15 MWp until the end of this year. Next year it targets to increase the production by 20 MWp.
CTP's Solar Plan envisages the installation of photovoltaic power plants on all suitable roofs in the medium to long term, with the developer building all its warehouses from 2020 onwards in line with a comprehensive building sustainability initiative. All new warehouses built from 2020 onwards are therefore "solar ready", i.e. static- and insulation-ready for the placement of PV on their roofs. Based on current estimates, the Solar Plan envisages that PV plants with a capacity of 200 to 250 MWp could be installed in CTParks in the Czech Republic alone, and even up to 300 MWp with the expected portfolio growth.
CTP is an experienced player in the field of photovoltaics. The developer started installing PV plants in 2010 and so far has covered 13 rooftops of its CTParks across the Czech Republic, generating 6 MWp. They therefore have more than a decade of experience in the installation, connection to the grid and maintenance of PV plants. This year, CTP plans to complete additional PV installations with a capacity addition of up to 9 MWp, reaching a cumulative output of 15 MWp by the end of 2022. The target for 2023 is another 18-20 MWp.
"The Solar Plan is part of our long-term comprehensive sustainability initiative. More than a decade ago, before global institutions began to push so hard for more renewable energy, we began implementing our plan to lead to sustainable CTParks. We installed PV in 13 of our warehouses, which are still operating in our portfolio today. Also, in addition to the PV on the rooftops, some time ago we established a partnership with a green energy supply company to give our clients access to 100% renewable energy, so called RES guaranteed energy. And we continue to develop and test other smart projects towards our "Off grid 2025-2030" initiative, which aims to gradually convert CTParks into self-sufficient local distribution, generation and consumption island systems. We are now just one step away from introducing the use of green hydrogen in larger CTParks with synergistic use of our PV, our partners' community RES and our tenants' consumption," explains Pavel Šilling, Energy Specialist at CTP.
With the political-economic turn towards renewables, the Czech Republic has moved towards announcing subsidy calls. CTP submitted several of its projects to the first wave of the Modernization Fund and succeeded in obtaining funding for projects above 1 MWp in the North Moravian Region. Thanks to the subsidy, CTP will receive approximately CZK 120 million to build PV plants on six rooftops in CTPark Ostrava and two in CTPark Nový Jičín, which will cover approximately 30% of the total investment costs. CTP succeeded with five other Brno warehouses in the Modernization Fund's subsidy call with projects below 1 MWp, for which it should receive CZK 26 million. The developer plans to participate in other rounds of subsidy programs.
The Modernization Fund requires the PV plant to be completed within five years of receiving the grant. CTP is aiming for a shorter timeframe, as the company would like to install, approve and connect most of its warehouses to the distribution network by the end of 2023. Currently, all documentation and tenders for the PV projects are being prepared. CTP plans to start the actual installation at the end of the summer.
"Building PV is an integral part of our long-term sustainability strategy, where we have already achieved carbon negativity by 2021. We are not waiting for someone to tell us to start using environmentally friendly solutions because the trend now is Green Deal. On the contrary, we are constantly looking for and adhering to new, more economical and efficient working practices and solutions that will contribute to higher quality and lower energy consumption in our buildings in the long term. We do so in line with our long-term vision to be an inspiring leader setting trends and setting the highest quality benchmarks in industrial development, while at the same time delivering on our commitment to our investors," adds David Chládek, Director of CTP Czech Republic.
