Emitel has been awarded second place in the “Best ESG Implementation” category at the second edition of the Grand ESG Awards for its innovative project centred on recovering and reusing waste heat generated by broadcast systems.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday evening at the Warsaw School of Economics, where 67 submissions competed across two categories: Best ESG Implementation and Best ESG Communication.
Emitel, a leading operator of modern and secure digital infrastructure in Poland, was recognised by the jury for its project entitled “Cooling to Heat – from concept to a pillar of decarbonisation strategy.” The initiative represents an advanced implementation of circular economy principles within critical infrastructure environments and forms a key component of the company’s decarbonisation strategy. The project centres on capturing waste heat generated in large quantities by radio and television broadcasting systems and repurposing it for heating facilities. This approach has enabled the complete elimination of energy-intensive electric heating.
During the summer months, the system operates in reverse, expelling heat externally. This significantly improves cooling efficiency and allows traditional air conditioning to be replaced by an automated ventilation system (so-called free cooling). As a result, air conditioning units are only required during periods of extreme heat.
“This distinction is a strong endorsement of the innovation and commitment demonstrated by our engineering teams. The project aligns with our decarbonisation strategy and proves that critical infrastructure can be not only reliable, but also intelligent and environmentally responsible,” said Jerzy Godek, Member of the Management Board responsible for Technology at Emitel. “We are transforming what was once a cost – waste heat – into a valuable resource, reducing both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. This is a tangible contribution to the green transition and a confirmation of our leadership within the industry,” he added.
The pilot project, implemented at the Radio and Television Broadcasting Centre in Częstochowa/Wręczyca, delivered measurable results:
- Annual energy savings of 77.8 MWh
- Complete elimination of electric heating (approx. 10 MWh saved annually)
- Reduction in air conditioning demand by approximately 67 MWh annually
- CO₂ emissions reduced by approximately 48 tonnes per year
Following the success of the pilot, the solution has become one of the pillars of Emitel’s decarbonisation strategy, implemented under its certified Energy Management System ISO 50001:2018. The system is currently being deployed across six additional facilities. Notably, the entire solution has been designed and delivered by Emitel’s in-house engineering teams, further strengthening the company’s expertise in green technologies.
