More megawatts from solar power in KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

The use of panels of up to 400 Wp is part of the Program for subsequent solar power plants projects („SPP”) adopted by the company. This Program of developing energy generating capacity in KGHM is taking on a defnite shape.

The documents adopted call for an increase in installed capacity from 9.5 to 14.5 MW. This will be possible thanks among others to the optimal use of property allocated to such investments and the use of stronger panels (up to 400 Wp).

“We wish to emphasize that, despite the pandemic, we continue to work unabated. This means not only daily production, but also the advancement of strategic projects. The development of photovoltaics is a crucial element in our efforts to produce green copper using green energy,” says Marcin Chludziński, President of the Management Board of KGHM.

The ongoing SP projects: Solar Power Plant (SPP) Piaskownia Obora and the SPP Complex HMG I-III, are elements of the strategic program "Development of Energy-generating Capacity, including RES". The program is founded among others on acquiring clean energy from wind farms, increasing generation from own sources of natural gas and developing solar power plants on land owned by KGHM.

SPP Piaskownia Obora is the first of three projects being considered on the grounds of the "Piaskownia Obora" sandpit, representing at the same time a change in the direction of restoration of this terrain. The concept adopted calls for the installation of 8 MW panels over an area of approx. 16 ha. This will enable the generation of 8.5 GWh of clean electricity to meet the needs of the nearby Divisions of KGHM (Lubin mine, Concentrators and Tailings Division).

The SPP HMG I-III complax is 3 separate locations on the grounds of the Głogów Copper Smelter/Refinery Division. In accordance with the concept adopted, the power plant will have solar panels installed of 6.5 MW over an area of approx. 12 ha. This will enable the generation of 6.9 GWh of clean electricity to meet the needs of the Głogów Copper Smelter/Refinery Division.

Operation of the SPPs will enable the following annualised reductions in emissions of harmful substances to the atmosphere:

• Over 10 thousand tonnes of CO2
• Over 9 tonnes of sulphide compounds
• Over 9 tonnes of nitrogen compounds
• Nearly 4 tonnes of sulphur oxides
• Over 0.5 tonne of dusts.

Pursuant to KGHM’s current strategy, by the year 2030 half of the company’s electrical energy needs will be met by its own internal sources, including RES. This is an amount equivalent to providing power to approx. 600 thousand households.