TenarisSilcotub, the leading Romanian manufacturer of small diameter seamless pipes, announces the completion of construction works on its first renewable energy production capacity, a 20 MW photovoltaic park, achieved through an investment of 21.5 million USD.
The project was financed from its own funds and with the support of non-reimbursable European funds, provided through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Pillar I. Green Transition – Component C6. Energy, which supports investments in new electricity production capacities from solar and wind sources. The electricity produced will be used for its own consumption and will cover part of the steel mill’s annual needs, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient production process.
“The investment reflects our efforts to maintain the competitiveness of our products on European and global markets, given the high energy prices of recent years, which have significantly affected energy-intensive consumers in Europe and especially in Romania. At the same time, it enables us to offer our customers low-carbon products and actively contribute to the energy transition. We have always been concerned about reducing our environmental footprint, with our steel mill being in the top 15 most efficient steel plants in the world in terms of CO2 emissions. This project allows us to set a new standard for sustainable production, to accompany our customers in their own decarbonization efforts and to have a positive impact on the environment,” said Mihaela Popescu, President of Tenaris Eastern Europe, North Sea and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The support received from national and local authorities was essential for the success of the project, facilitating the implementation of this sustainable solution,” concluded Mihaela Popescu.
The use of solar energy will reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated by the steel mill’s activity, helping to achieve the target of a 30% reduction by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. This effort also includes the use of both scrap iron and alternative materials, contributing to the production of steel with 98% recycled content.