Companies want to enforce new energy standards for buildings in the Czech Republic

Prague - Approximately 100 domestic companies united in the Czech Council for Eco-Friendly Buildings and the Passive House Centre announced the launch of a new initiative called Chance for Buildings at a press conference today. Its aim is to push for a mandatory low-energy standard for new buildings by 2013 and subsequently a passive standard from 2015. The companies behind the initiative operate in construction, technology, and financial services.
The initiative is related to last year's directive from the European Commission on the energy performance of buildings. It states that by December 31, 2018, EU member states must ensure that all new buildings used and owned by public authorities are nearly zero-energy buildings. From the end of 2020, this standard will also apply to all new buildings.
Economist and member of the National Economic Council of the Government (NERV) Miroslav Zámečník calculated that the transition to higher energy standards could bring the Czech Republic up to 223 billion crowns over the next 25 years. The calculation assumptions include a 3 percent annual increase in energy prices.
"In buildings, we can and must reduce to a minimum especially the need for heating, energy consumption for hot water preparation, cooling, ventilation, and lighting,” said Petr Vogel, chairman of the board of the council for eco-friendly buildings.
The Czech Council for Eco-Friendly Buildings and the Passive House Centre will not cease their activities with the establishment of the joint initiative; they will continue to operate as normal. Members of the association include large companies such as Skanska, Philips, Rockwool, and Sekyra Group.