SolarSK, a prominent player in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) renewable energy sector, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability amid challenging circumstances. Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the company has maintained uninterrupted operations, ensuring that both production facilities and offices are fully functional, supported by generators to meet contractual obligations. With a robust portfolio that includes the in-house production of mounting systems and comprehensive EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) services, SolarSK continues to expand its footprint across European markets, including Romania. In this interview, CEO Yevhen Yaremenko shares insights into the company’s history, project scale, adherence to European standards, and strategic development plans, particularly in the Romanian market.
Yevhen Yaremenko, CEO SolarSK
SolarSK has a rich history in the renewable energy sector. Could you elaborate on the company’s journey, highlighting key milestones and the scale of projects undertaken, especially in the context of in-house production of mounting systems?
Since the founding of Solar Steelconstruction in 2012, we have prioritized high-quality, reliable solutions in solar energy. Originally being a steel processing company, we have started with small projects focused on design and production of mounting systems, and in a short period, we have become one of the leading manufacturers in Eastern Europe. Our product range now includes over 30 types of mounting systems: ground, rooftop, solutions for carports, agricultural applications, and even a tracker system. We have achieved a delivery capacity of over 4 GW with geography across 30 countries. Our clients also pushed us to develop the PV installation service, and currently we provide Installation \ Light- EPC and EPC services in Scandinavia, Baltics, Eastern Europe and Balkan countries having more than 400 experienced workers and more than 100 specialized machines.
Compliance with European standards is crucial for operations across the continent. How does SolarSK ensure its products and services meet these standards, and what certifications have you obtained to validate this compliance?
SolarSK actively invests in upholding high-quality standards to ensure our products meet strict European requirements. Our mounting systems are certified according to key EU standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, EN 1090-1,4, and SA8000. We are committed not only to quality, but also to maintaining a robust health and occupational safety policy that ensures a positive environment for our employees and clients alike. By implementing a policy of environmental responsibility, SolarSK minimizes its environmental impact to support a sustainable future in renewable energy. Our company not only complies with leading standards but also fosters a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable growth.
Your EPC services encompass design, construction, and monitoring of solar power plants. Could you discuss SolarSK’s approach to project management within this framework and the guarantees you offer for long-term support to clients?
Our EPC approach encompasses the entire lifecycle of solar projects — from initial design and construction to continuous monitoring and ongoing maintenance. At each phase, we offer comprehensive support and consulting to minimize risks and ensure long-term operational reliability. With experience in over 500 MW of completed EPC \ Light-EPC projects, our processes are fully optimized for maximum efficiency. Recent highlights include a 100 MW completed project in Poland, a 120 MW ongoing project in Latvia, and annually over 50 installations in 10 different countries. We also provide well-coordinated logistics, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of our systems to any location worldwide — swiftly facilitating project completion regardless of location.
Despite the challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine, SolarSK has maintained operational continuity. What measures have you implemented to ensure that production facilities and offices remain fully functional, and how have you managed to fulfill all contractual obligations during this period?
In these challenging times, our company is doing everything possible to ensure stable operations and support our employees. We have equipped our production facilities and offices with powerful generators, PV installations and Battery Storages systems to remain operational during power outages. All our design and operational servers are remote, so the information is also safe, and any employee could have access from any point connected with internet. We operate three plants across different regions of Ukraine, always expanding and investing in new equipment, and the recent addition of a second galvanizing line in western Ukraine adds flexibility and security to our operations.
Moreover, we understand the importance of supporting our team members who have had to leave the country. We continue to assist them abroad and also create job opportunities for Ukrainians outside of Ukraine, enabling them to support their families, contribute to our company’s growth, and aid Ukraine’s economy. We believe that, together, we can overcome any challenges and strengthen our team, wherever they are.
Romania represents a significant market within the CEE region. What are SolarSK’s strategic development plans for Romania, and how do you intend to leverage your experience and capabilities to contribute to the country’s renewable energy landscape?
SolarSK sees immense potential in the Romanian market, and we are ready to contribute to its development by leveraging our experience across various European countries. With Romania targeting a significant increase in renewable energy to meet EU climate goals, we believe that solar energy will play a crucial role. Romania has a high solar irradiation rate, averaging around 1,200-1,400 kWh/m² per year, making it one of the most promising markets for solar investments in Central and Eastern Europe.
We already have strong partnerships in Romania and have been actively building connections by participating in the CISOLAR for two consecutive years. This has provided us with invaluable insights into the market and the opportunity to connect with key industry players and local stakeholders.
Our strategic goal is to offer tailored solutions that support Romanian companies and government bodies in their transition to renewable energy. By customizing our products and services to the needs of Romanian clients, we aim to establish long-term partnerships and lay a sustainable foundation for the growth of solar energy in the country.
_____________________________________________
The interview first appeared in the printed edition of Energynomics Magazine in early December 2024.
In order to receive the printed or electronic issue of Energynomics Magazine, we encourage you to write us at office [at] energynomics.ro to include you in our distribution list. All previous editions are available HERE.