LIBERTY and ČEZ ESCO to cooperate on decarbonization of the Ostrava steelworks

LIBERTY Ostrava and energy service company CEZ ESCO have agreed on a Declaration of Cooperation to develop sustainable sources of electrical, thermal, and hydrogen energy in an important step for LIBERTY Ostrava’s GREENSTEEL transformation.

Sanjeev Gupta, the Executive Chairman of LIBERTY Steel Group, said: “Our goal is to transform LIBERTY Ostrava into a modern GREENSTEEL plant at the heart of Europe. In ČEZ ESCO we have a partner that shares our vision for sustainable industry and we will work together to develop the renewable energy sources and innovative technologies required. The transformation of LIBERY Ostrava will be a major step for the decarbonisation of the steel industry in the Czech Republic and more widely across Europe.”

LIBERTY Steel Group plans to invest billions of Czech Korunas in the LIBERTY Ostrava’s GREENSTEEL transformation programme over the course of the next eight years so that is carbon neutral by 2030.

The key element of the programme will be the replacement of the steelwork’s existing four tandem furnaces with two hybrid electric arc furnaces, allowing the use of a higher volume of steel scrap and a range of different charge materials, reducing reliance on imported coal and iron ore and significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

In addition to the modernisation of the steel shop, the transformation will also include an extensive modernisation of the steel rolling mills, which will improve the quality of steel and expand the product portfolio with high added value products.

The investment programme will also see the creation of a renewable power plants for electricity production as well as the development of the LIBERTY GREENSTEEL Academy.