TenarisSilcotub completes the construction of a 20 MW photovoltaic park for the electric steelworks in Călărași

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, according to a press release.

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. 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 the 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 plant’s activity, helping to achieve the 30% reduction target 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.

The total value of the Financing Contract through the PNRR was 96,943,052.60 lei with VAT, of which 40,603,449.24 lei without VAT – total eligible value, 29,088,180.00 lei without VAT maximum non-refundable value and 67,854,872.60 – Own contribution.

TenarisSilcotub, part of Tenaris, has a history of over 40 years and is the largest Romanian manufacturer of small diameter seamless pipes used in the energy sector and many other industrial applications. With a turnover of 840 million USD (2023) and a team of over 1,900 employees, TenarisSilcotub operates an integrated industrial system, with production units in Zalău (pipe and component factory), Călărași (electrical steel mill) and Câmpina (sucker rod factory), service centers in Ploiești, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, Iernut and Popești Leordeni and commercial offices in Bucharest.