7R returns to Warsaw warehouse market with new 47,000 sqm logistics park

7R has announced its return to the Warsaw warehouse market with the launch of 7R Park Warsaw South III, a new logistics development in Sękocin near the Polish capital. The project will comprise two Class A warehouse buildings offering approximately 47,000 sqm of leasable space, with construction scheduled to begin in early August 2026.

The developer has already secured its first tenant before construction starts. Strefa Tenisa, Poland’s largest online retailer of tennis equipment and accessories, has signed a long-term lease for 3,500 sqm to support the expansion of its e-commerce and logistics operations.

The development marks 7R’s first warehouse project in the Warsaw region after several years away from the market. Located near the junction of the S2, S7 and S8 expressways and the A2 motorway, the scheme is intended to serve companies operating in e-commerce, omnichannel retail, distribution, last-mile logistics and light manufacturing.

“Our return to the Warsaw market is an important element of our growth strategy. Warsaw remains Poland’s largest warehouse market, and securing our first tenant before construction begins confirms the commercial potential of the project,” said Izabela Trancygier, Head of Region Central & South at 7R.

The first occupier, Strefa Tenisa, operates across Central and Eastern Europe as well as selected Western European markets under the Strefa Tenisa and Tennis Zone brands.

“The new warehouse will improve our logistics processes, support further growth in e-commerce and enable faster order fulfilment for customers in Poland and across Europe. The location combines proximity to the Warsaw market with convenient access to the country’s main transport routes,” said Sławomir Sylwestrzak, President of the Management Board of Strefa Tenisa.

The park will offer flexible warehouse modules from 1,620 sqm and has been designed to accommodate logistics, distribution, fulfilment and light industrial operations. Technical specifications include a 10-metre clear height, floor loading capacity of 7 tonnes per sqm, hydraulic loading docks, NFPA 13-compliant sprinkler systems and fire load capacity exceeding 4,000 MJ per sqm.

The development will also incorporate energy-efficient technologies including a building management system (BMS), LED lighting with DALI controls, photovoltaic panels and electric vehicle charging stations. The project is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, with completion of the first phase planned for March 2027.

Czech Republic approves capacity market to support flexible power generation

The Czech Republic is set to introduce a capacity market after the European Commission approved a support mechanism with an estimated budget of €3.1 billion to €6.2 billion over ten years. The scheme is intended to encourage investment in flexible electricity generation and storage as the country phases out coal-fired power plants.

The mechanism will be financed through charges paid by electricity consumers, with the first capacity contracts covering the period from November 2030 to October 2031.

Unlike the wholesale electricity market, where generators are paid only for the electricity they produce, the new system will compensate participants for making generation or storage capacity available during periods when the electricity system is under stress.

“A capacity mechanism acts as an insurance policy for the electricity system. It rewards providers for ensuring sufficient capacity is available when renewable generation is low, demand is high or major power plants are unavailable,” said Martin Pacovský, Investment Director at ARETE Energy Transition.

The scheme responds to growing concerns over future electricity supply as coal-fired generation is gradually retired. According to the European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA) 2025, the Czech Republic could begin facing risks of insufficient dispatchable generation capacity from 2028.

Eligible participants will include existing and new power plants, battery energy storage systems, aggregated distributed resources and cross-border capacity providers. Support will be allocated through competitive auctions in which participants bid the level of payment required per megawatt of available capacity.

Most contracts will have a one-year duration, although capital-intensive new projects may receive agreements of up to 15 years, improving their ability to secure long-term financing. The mechanism also includes emissions limits that significantly restrict the participation of coal-fired generation.

ARETE Energy Transition identifies modern gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants as one of the technologies capable of providing flexible generation. By simultaneously producing electricity and useful heat, CHP facilities can achieve overall efficiencies of between 80% and 90% when the heat is effectively utilised.

The final cost of the mechanism for households and businesses has not yet been determined. According to ARETE, the overall impact on electricity bills will depend on the volume of capacity procured, auction outcomes and how costs are allocated among different categories of electricity consumers. Greater competition between technologies such as cogeneration, battery storage and demand-side flexibility is expected to help reduce overall costs.

Germany’s energy transition advances but key technologies are falling behind targets

Germany’s energy transition continued to make progress during the first half of 2026, but the pace of deployment remains insufficient in several key areas, according to the latest Energy Transition Monitor published by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin).

The report finds that solar power, which exceeded expansion targets in 2023 and 2024, is now losing momentum as installation rates fail to keep pace with increasingly ambitious capacity goals for 2030. Onshore wind development also remains below the required level, while offshore wind has accelerated following the commissioning of several large projects, although long development timelines and slower investment continue to pose challenges.

“The energy transition is continuing, but not quickly enough in most areas. Heat pumps and electric vehicles, in particular, have yet to achieve the breakthrough needed to significantly reduce Germany’s dependence on oil and gas imports,” said Wolf-Peter Schill, Head of the Transformation of the Energy Economy research division at DIW Berlin and lead author of the report.

The report notes that heat pumps strengthened their position in the heating market, accounting for almost half of all new heating systems sold during the first quarter of 2026. Battery electric vehicles also continued to gain market share, representing nearly one in four new passenger car registrations during the first half of the year. However, fossil fuel heating systems and internal combustion engine vehicles continue to dominate new sales.

DIW argues that the electrification of heating and transport remains essential for achieving Germany’s climate neutrality targets. However, it suggests that the country’s new Building Modernisation Act is unlikely to significantly accelerate heat pump adoption, while ongoing political debate over future combustion engine regulations may slow the transition to electric mobility.

The report also highlights increasing pressure on Germany’s electricity system as renewable generation expands. During the first half of 2026, wholesale electricity prices turned negative for 291 hours, compared with 184 hours during the second half of 2025. Although this was below the 389 hours recorded in the first half of last year, the financial impact reached a record level, with estimated generation losses of around €430 million during periods of negative pricing.

According to DIW, growing solar generation continues to push electricity prices lower during midday hours while evening prices remain comparatively high, underlining the need for greater system flexibility.

Large-scale battery storage capacity expanded significantly during the first six months of the year, with newly installed capacity nearly doubling compared with the previous six-month period and total installed storage increasing by around 50%. However, DIW believes deployment could accelerate further if grid connection processes were streamlined.

The institute concludes that stronger efforts to expand renewable energy, electricity storage and the electrification of heating and transport will be necessary if Germany is to meet its climate objectives while reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Source: DIW

CTP Delivers First DEHN Factory in Romania within CTPark Pitești

CTP has completed and delivered a 9,500 sqm built-to-suit production unit for the German company DEHN within CTPark Pitești, where the manufacturer has already started its activity. The project marks the inauguration of the first DEHN production unit in Romania.

Developed as a built-to-suit solution, the unit was adapted to the company’s operational requirements. CTP managed the entire process, from land identification and obtaining permits to construction and property management, which allowed the factory to be inaugurated on schedule.

The new facility will create up to 150 jobs in production, logistics and support services.

With the delivery of the new facility for DEHN, CTPark Pitești reaches approximately 80,000 sqm of industrial space. The park is located near the A1/E70 highway, less than 30 minutes from the city of Pitești.

Apartment Blocks with over 3 Floors to Benefit from Elevators through “Elevator for Life” Program

President Nicușor Dan has promulgated the draft law on the establishment of the national “Lift for Life” Program, financed from the state budget, local resources and European funds, with the aim of installing elevators in apartment blocks with over 3 floors.

Approximately 3.8 million Romanians, especially residents with special needs (elderly, disabled) in almost 90,000 blocks of flats, will benefit in this way from decent conditions for access to their homes.

However, condominiums classified or in the process of being classified as historical monuments, respectively those classified in the seismic risk class RsI or RsII, will be excluded from the program, unless they are included in the intervention program to increase the level of seismic safety.

The Volume of Construction Works Increased in the First 5 Months of 2026 by 12.4%

The volume of construction works increased in the first five months of 2026 by 12.4%, after residential buildings advanced by 16.1%, engineering constructions by 14.1% and non-residential buildings by 6.4%, according to INS data.

In May 2026, the volume of construction works increased, compared to April 2026, by 1.1%. Compared to May 2025, the volume of construction works increased by 16.2%.

By structural elements, annual increases were recorded in new construction works (+21.5%), capital repair works (+10.2%) and maintenance and current repair works (+4.2%). By construction objects, increases were recorded in residential buildings (+31.3%), engineering constructions (+14.0%) and non-residential buildings (+10.5%).

Construction sector costs in May 2026 compared to the previous year in the period increased by 10%, and the cost of construction materials by 13.2%.

DP World secures €25 million EBRD green loan for Constanța container terminal

DP World has secured a green loan of up to €25 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support the electrification of its Constanța South Container Terminal in Romania.

The financing is the first green loan awarded to the terminal and forms part of a wider €100 million investment programme aimed at modernising operations and reducing carbon emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes annually.

The project is intended to accelerate the decarbonisation of DP World’s Romanian operations by replacing diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives and introducing shore power infrastructure, allowing vessels to connect to the local electricity grid while berthed. The company said the upgrades are expected to improve air quality, reduce noise and increase operational efficiency.

The investment programme combines EBRD financing with grants from the European Union and the Romanian government. In addition to the EBRD loan, the project has received a €19.7 million grant through the European Union’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), part of the Connecting Europe Facility, with the EBRD acting as the EU’s implementation partner. A further €7.5 million has been allocated through Romania’s Transport Programme 2021–2027.

The first phase of the investment, valued at €53.8 million, will establish the electrical infrastructure required for terminal electrification, including new power distribution networks, transformer stations and shore power systems. It also includes a new connection to the port’s main electricity grid, upgrades to access roads and the introduction of ten electric terminal tractors with charging infrastructure.

The second phase, valued at €46.2 million, will involve the acquisition of additional electric equipment, including remotely operated electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes, two electric mobile harbour cranes and additional electric terminal tractors.

“In today’s trading environment, the most competitive ports are also the most sustainable. This investment aligns the development of Constanța South Container Terminal with DP World’s global commitment to reducing emissions while helping customers build more resilient and sustainable supply chains,” said Svitlana Balaban, Chief Executive Officer of DP World Constanța.

Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania, said the investment would strengthen the Port of Constanța’s role as a strategic logistics hub on the Black Sea while improving energy efficiency across Romania’s logistics sector.

The electrification programme follows a series of recent investments by DP World in Constanța. In 2024, the company opened a new project cargo terminal and a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal following a €65 million investment. It also completed a 119,000 sqm multimodal logistics platform in December 2025, further strengthening the port’s role as a gateway linking Central Europe with the Black Sea region, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

Hines sells Warsaw’s Sky Office Center to Polish private investor

Hines has sold Sky Office Center, a Class A office building in Warsaw’s Mokotów Business District, to a private Polish investor. Avison Young acted as the seller’s exclusive investment adviser throughout the transaction.

Located at 31 Rzymowskiego Street, the property offers approximately 4,800 sqm of gross leasable area and benefits from access to Warsaw’s public transport network as well as the nearby S79 expressway and A2 motorway.

At the time of the sale, the six-storey office building was fully multi-let to a mix of international and domestic occupiers, including New Balance, PKO Bank Polski, Fabet and Totalizator Sportowy. The property also holds a BREEAM In-Use Excellent certification.

According to Avison Young, the transaction reflects continued activity by domestic investors in Poland’s office investment market.

“This transaction is another example of the growing appetite among Polish investors for office assets. Domestic capital has become significantly more active in the commercial real estate market over the past two years, both in terms of transaction numbers and invested capital. Notably, the largest office investment transaction completed during the first half of 2026 was also acquired by Polish capital,” said Artur Czuba, Director of the Investment Department at Avison Young.

Legal advisers for the transaction were Pinsent Masons on behalf of the seller and DLP Duch / Lisicki & Partners representing the buyer.

Germany: Companies step up efforts to preserve knowledge as baby boomers retire

German companies are increasingly taking steps to retain critical knowledge as large numbers of baby boomers approach retirement, although one in five businesses still lacks a structured strategy to preserve employees’ expertise, according to a new survey by trade credit insurer Atradius.

Around 13.4 million people from Germany’s baby boomer generation are expected to reach or exceed the statutory retirement age of 67 by 2039. Atradius warns that the departure of experienced employees risks accelerating knowledge loss at a time when many sectors continue to face skilled labour shortages.

The survey found that 61% of companies rely on structured handovers, allowing retiring employees to train their successors over a period of six to twelve months. Around 55% document processes and practical know-how in internal systems, while 36% retain former employees as external consultants or part-time advisers for specialist issues.

“The continued involvement of retiring employees creates benefits for both sides. Companies retain valuable expertise while retirees remain connected to the organisation,” said Frank Liebold, Country Director Germany at Atradius.

Other knowledge-transfer measures include cross-generational mentoring, structured exit interviews and employee-produced instructional videos. Despite growing interest in artificial intelligence, only 3% of companies currently use AI tools to automatically capture organisational knowledge from documents and email communications. Meanwhile, 20% of businesses have no systematic approach to preserving institutional knowledge.

The survey also examined employee retention strategies. Team events were the most frequently cited measure, adopted by nearly 32% of companies, followed by performance-related bonuses (31%). Remote working options and fitness benefits were each offered by around 29% of respondents, while 24% provide training budgets. Company-funded health insurance, inflation-related bonuses and public transport subsidies were less common, and only about 6% of businesses use a four-day working week as a retention tool.

Automation was found to play only a limited role in addressing labour shortages. More than half of surveyed companies said automation has little or no significance in compensating for unfilled positions, while only 18% reported that automation plays a major role in managing workforce vacancies.

The survey was conducted in May and June 2026 among more than 330 German companies from sectors including automotive, construction, chemicals, financial services, IT, manufacturing, consumer goods, transport and agriculture. Respondents ranged from businesses with annual revenues below €5 million to companies generating more than €1 billion, employing between fewer than 100 and more than 1,500 people.

WING to develop new build-to-suit headquarters for KPMG in Budapest

WING will develop a new purpose-built headquarters for KPMG on Budapest’s Váci Road, marking the largest new office leasing transaction in the Hungarian capital so far in 2026.

The office building, comprising more than 8,000 sqm, is scheduled for completion in autumn 2029 and will become the long-term headquarters of KPMG Hungary. The project will be delivered under a build-to-suit (BTS) model, with the entire building designed exclusively around the tenant’s operational requirements.

Located on one of Budapest’s main office corridors, close to KPMG’s current offices, the seven-storey building will accommodate approximately 1,100 employees. The development will include a 300-seat conference centre, a dedicated meeting floor, a landscaped internal courtyard and a two-and-a-half-level underground car park providing 140 parking spaces.

According to WING, build-to-suit headquarters remain relatively uncommon in the Budapest office market, particularly for single occupiers of this scale.

Tibor Tatár, Head of Residential and Office Developments at WING Hungary, said the project demonstrates the level of cooperation required for bespoke office developments.

“Build-to-suit projects require a particularly high level of trust because every aspect of the development is designed around the tenant’s operational needs. In this case, the building has been planned from the outset to support KPMG’s organisational structure and long-term business objectives. A corporate headquarters is much more than an office building; it reflects a company’s culture, values and long-term vision,” he said.

Rezső Rózsai, CEO of KPMG Hungary, said the company wanted to remain on Váci Road while securing a modern headquarters designed exclusively for its operations.

“When selecting the location for our new headquarters, maintaining our presence in an established business location was an important consideration. We also wanted a building where KPMG would be the sole occupier over the long term, providing a working environment that reflects our corporate culture and supports both employees and clients. Sustainability, energy efficiency and flexibility for our future operational needs were also key requirements,” he said.

WING said the project builds on its experience in delivering customised corporate headquarters across Hungary. Over the past two decades, the developer has completed headquarters projects for companies including Magyar Telekom, RTL Hungary, Ericsson, E.ON, evosoft, Lightware, Allianz, General Electric and Philip Morris.

KPMG was advised on the lease transaction by iO Partners Hungary, while WING’s legal adviser was DLA Piper Hungary.

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