TenarisSilcotub, Romania’s top producer of small-diameter seamless pipes, has finalized the construction of a 20 MW solar power plant, marking a key milestone in its sustainability strategy. The $21.5 million project was funded through the company’s own resources and non-repayable European grants via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The electricity generated by the new solar facility will supply the company’s steel mill, partially offsetting its annual energy demand and enhancing production efficiency. Mihaela Popescu, President of Tenaris for Eastern Europe, the North Sea, and Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized that the investment is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of TenarisSilcotub’s products in both European and global markets. She noted that recent years of high energy costs have particularly strained energy-intensive industries across Europe, including in Romania.
Looking ahead, the company is exploring the possibility of expanding the solar plant and incorporating additional renewable solutions such as wind energy and energy storage systems.
The solar facility will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the steel mill’s operations, supporting TenarisSilcotub’s broader goal of cutting emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. This sustainability effort is further reinforced by the company’s use of scrap iron and alternative materials, allowing it to produce steel with 98% recycled content.
