“In Central & Eastern Europe (CEE), the real challenge is not the engineering itself, but navigating the local realities that shape every project.”
Mateusz Siara, Department Manager Consultancy in Warsaw, and Dominik Staier, HSE&S Consultant based in Czechia, lead Bilfinger’s Net Zero work across the Central and Eastern Europe region. Their message is clear: the Net Zero Approach travels well, but success depends on tailoring it to local realities.
One global method, locally executed
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) adopted Bilfinger’s proven Net Zero framework and tailored it to fit regional realities. “We built on the established methodology and made it work for our markets,” says Mateusz. “The phases and quality standards remain the same. What shifts is the emphasis: what data clients expect, the level of detail, the outputs, and which constraints matter most,” says Mateusz. Dominik adds: “We started together with BeNe experts on a first site, then took over the next ones. The variations you see today come from local expectations, market maturity, and the specific engineers and specialists involved, not from a different method.”
The client mindset: from black box to trusted path
Across CEE, most clients now feel the either direct or indirect regulatory push to decarbonize. Yet for many, sustainability still starts as a ‘black box’. “We often begin by translating requirements into opportunity,” Dominik explains. “There, we see two kinds of mindsets within companies: those who want to improve, and those who just want to comply. Both can succeed, but the journey and pace shift.” Trust is the key. “We frequently start with smaller, focused studies, and then grow into full roadmaps and concept designs,” he says. “That stepwise path builds confidence without losing sight of the end goal.”
Local conditions shape the solution set
The technology palette is familiar: HVAC optimization, insulation, geothermal, heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, biogas or biomethane, and even turning wastewater streams into energy. What changes are the boundary conditions:
- Grid capacity & electrification: Electrifying heat sounds simple, but securing extra electrical capacity can be a serious challenge. As Dominik puts it: “Production zones are built for a specific maximum capacity. For most industrial zones the maximum capacity limit is only slightly over the current energy capacity requirement. This means that in many cases, there is not enough electrical infrastructure for the majority of companies in industrial zones to switch from fossil fuels to greener alternatives. If reserves need to be built, the grid itself has to be strengthened first.”
- Solar potential vs. structure: “The further south you go, the better solar power gets,” says Dominik. “But viability depends on available land or whether roofs can carry photovoltaic panels. We routinely include basic structural checks because they make or break the business case.”
- Permits & project timing: Permitting windows and end-of-year legal updates can delay action. Planning around these cycles is part of the work.
- Fuel and feedstock availability: What is abundant or scarce locally (renewable electricity, sustainable biomass, biomethane) steers which pathways are practical now versus later.
What is driving decarbonization in the CEE Region today
The region’s interest in decarbonization has surged, from mostly multinational leaders a decade ago to an ever-broader base of local companies today. Still, regulation is the prime mover, even if it is not directly but through incentives. Clients are responding to European frameworks and their national implementations: reporting and taxonomy rules, supplier expectations, financing signals, and sector-specific obligations. “Like it or not, regulation is the number-one driver,” Mateusz notes. “Our role is to turn that pressure into a technically and financially sound plan.”
From study to implementation: A client example
One example is a recent project with a major furniture manufacturer. The client aimed to eliminate natural gas by replacing aging boiler systems but lacked the technical, financial, and risk management inputs to make an informed decision.
“Using the Net Zero Approach, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of low-emission heating options,” Mateusz explains. “We compared different pathways and landed on two hybrid concepts that combine heat pumps, biomass, and electric boilers.”
The study has since evolved into long-term engineering support for implementation. “That is exactly how we want to work,” says Mateusz. “We do not just hand over a report, we stay involved to make sure the roadmap turns into reality.”
Across the region, similar stories are unfolding. “In CEE, we see strong momentum in industries like automotive, food and beverage, and energy,” Mateusz continues. “These sectors are not only vital to the region’s economy, but also key to its decarbonization journey. Our job is to help them navigate the transition with solutions that are technically sound, financially viable, and locally relevant.”
Quality first: How robust concept design drives project success
In CEE, tenders often yield proposals that look similar at first glance, but the real difference lies beneath the surface. While some offers present only a basic roadmap - a checklist of steps with little technical substance - others go deeper, incorporating engineering expertise, concept design, and feasibility checks like grid capacity assessments.
“This distinction matters,” says Dominik. “When technical depth is missing, projects frequently stall during execution. Clients are then forced to revisit and redo work, leading to delays and increased costs. In contrast, investing in quality from the outset ensures smoother implementation and fewer setbacks.”
Bilfinger’s integrated approach provides that foundation. “We combine sustainability consulting with process, energy, and HVAC engineering,” explains Mateusz. “Our cost estimators model CAPEX and OPEX early in the process, so decisions are based on realistic numbers, not optimistic guesses. Our strong supplier network and insight into financing options further sharpen these estimates, helping clients move forward with confidence.”
Overcoming Key Barriers: Lessons from CEE Teams
Financing remains the universal challenge, alongside data gaps, limited internal capacity, and the complexity of new disclosure regimes. In CEE, grid capacity and permitting timelines add friction. Bilfinger’s approach is to bring structure to the journey. It begins with a credible baseline and a co-created roadmap that aligns everyone on direction and priorities. Each measure is validated with concept design and hard data, power and permits are secured early, and delivery is shaped around the client’s risk appetite. Throughout the process, accountability stays firmly in one place.
Why Bilfinger in CEE
“We want to be our clients’ long-term technical partner,” says Mateusz. “Not just to advise, but to design, build, and operate solutions with measurable results.” Dominik sums it up: “While some market offerings focus on basic compliance, we compete on engineering depth, credible economics, and long-term value. If you are navigating the complexities of Net Zero in CEE, let's talk. Bilfinger is ready to be your technical partner from roadmap to reality.”
