Enika Sp. z o.o., based in Łódź, has won a tender to supply air-conditioning units for 123 Škoda 15T ForCity trams operated in Prague. The framework agreement covers a six-year period and has a total net value of nearly PLN 70 million. For the company, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year, this marks one of the largest export orders in its history.

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Škoda 15T ForCity trams were delivered to Prague between 2010 and 2019 in two production batches. At the time, they represented a breakthrough in low-floor tram design, offering a 100% low-floor layout with no interior steps, while utilizing a unique bogie design that mimics the behavior of pivoting bogies. This design has a beneficial effect on track wear, particularly when navigating the tight-radius curves that frequently characterize the historic center of the Czech capital.

In total, Prague received 250 such vehicles (fleet numbers 9201–9250), with the newer half featuring factory-installed air conditioning. Regarding the 125 trams delivered earlier, the installation of air conditioning was the subject of prolonged discussions. This solution was implemented on a trial basis in only two cars: No. 9243 (equipped with air conditioning during production in 2012) and No. 9285 (retrofitted in 2019).

Ultimately, the vehicle operator (Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy) announced a tender in October 2025 for the supply of air-conditioning units for the remaining 123 vehicles. Three bidders competed for the contract. The winning bid was submitted by Enika, a company known primarily as a supplier of drive systems and converters for public transport vehicles and charging stations. Since 2016, the company has also offered its own air-conditioning solutions for trams; these have been supplied in various configurations to clients in cities such as Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, and Gdańsk.

The air conditioning units for Prague’s Škoda 15T trams are being custom-engineered specifically for this contract. Enika is basing their development on the "iGlacio" product family, with the Czech-specific variant designated as type iGlacio 17AC/6AC. As the name implies, each unit will deliver 17 kW of cooling power and 6 kW of heating power (the client required that, in addition to cooling and ventilation modes, the system also serve as a supplementary interior heating source). Design constraints regarding unit dimensions, roof mounting points, and similar factors also had to be taken into account. Each air conditioner will feature its own integrated converter connected directly to the traction power supply. Three units will be installed on each tram (one for each of the vehicle's sections, which have a combined length of 31.4 meters). Consequently, Enika could produce up to 369 iGlacio units for Prague.

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MPK Łódź Sp. z o.o. will partner in the execution of the order, providing workshop facilities and personnel for specialized tasks involving modifications to the distinctive "sandwich-type" roof structure. Once work begins, a Prague tram will be transported from Prague to Łódź approximately every two weeks, with a modernized vehicle returning in the opposite direction.

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 "Prague is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. At the same time, it boasts a very high share of public transport usage—nearly 50% of residents choose it for their daily commutes. We are therefore delighted to have the opportunity to significantly enhance comfort for Prague’s residents and visitors through the supply of our converters and air conditioning units," said Bartosz Szyller, President of the Management Board of Enika.

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"The project being carried out for a Czech partner from Prague offers us the opportunity to leverage our extensive know-how regarding tram maintenance and modernization. Škoda 15T vehicles feature, among other things, a so-called 'sandwich' roof—a solution not typically found in tram construction. This is precisely where our employees' specialized expertise will come into play," said Dariusz Domański, Head of the Technical Department at MPK Łódź.

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Illustrative photos for editorial use:

Prague Castle with its Gothic cathedral and a first-series Škoda 15T tram. Up to 123 trams can be retrofitted with air-conditioning units manufactured by Enika. (Photo: Łukasz Papitowski)

(2x) A Škoda 15T tram from the first production series in Prague. Up to 123 trams may be retrofitted with air-conditioning units manufactured by Enika. (Photo: Janusz Okularczyk)

3D model of the iGlacio17AC/6AC air conditioning unit integrated with a converter, designed for Prague. The dimensions will be precisely adapted to the vehicles' mounting spaces. Each tram will be equipped with three such units. (Source: Enika)

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About ENIKA

ENIKA was founded in Łódź in 1992. Since then, it has supplied electric drive systems for over 600 trams—both new and modernized units. In addition, the company supplies equipment for electric buses, trolleybuses, hydrogen buses, and rail vehicles, and manufactures bus charging stations for public transport operators. As of the beginning of 2024, ENIKA has joined forces with MEDHA, one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced systems for rolling stock and electromobility.

Media contact

press@enika.pl

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