Green investments in KGHM - three solar farms are being built

The copper giant is not slowing down and is investing in renewable energy projects. The first solar farm is already being built on behalf of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. near Legnica. The company is also finalizing contracts for the construction of two more photovoltaic power plants in the Copper Belt.

- We are responding to trends in the global economy, without which we would not be at the forefront of copper producers. The way copper is produced is becoming more and more important, which is why we want to use renewable energy and become part of the "green copper" movement. We believe that in the future this will affect our market position, which is why investing in solar farms is attractive to us, said Marcin Chludziński, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

- Renewable energy development in Poland would not be possible without intensive government support for both farm investors and individual farms. In 2019, we launched the My Electricity program, which was very popular. We support the creation of photovoltaic forms. Congratulations that KGHM is part of the trend of producing green energy, emphasized the head of the Political Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Krzysztof Kubów.

According to KGHM’s strategy, by 2030 the company wants to source half of its energy needs from its own generating sources, including renewable energy sources.

- We have over 200 hectares of our own land that can be allocated to renewable energy projects. Here in Legnica we are already at the stage of final permits, and we will soon be starting new projects. We are also considering obtaining energy from wind farms, said Marcin Chludziński.

The 4E Strategy implemented by KGHM focuses on efficiency, ecology, e-industry and flexibility. One of the priorities is the Energy Development Program at KGHM, whose main element is photovoltaics.

Investments are being advanced in three places. Near the Legnica Copper Smelter and Refinery, KGHM ZANAM plans to build a solar farm with a capacity of approx. 3 MWp. Another photovoltaic power plant is being built at the Tailings Plant Division. According to the assumptions, the power plant will generate 5,400 MWh of energy per year, all of which will be used by the Lubin mine.

The last of the three projects envisages the construction of a RES farm at the Głogów smelter/refinery. The power plant will generate 5,500 MWh of energy per year, with all of the energy to be consumed by the plant.

- We have already concluded a contract with a designer who will be responsible for obtaining administrative approvals and permits and preparing construction projects for these two solar plants, said Piotr Kuzdra, Director of the Energy Development Department.

KGHM Polska Miedź is one of the largest electricity consumers in Poland. Each year, it consumes over 2.5 TWh, second only to the Polish State Railways.