The ORLEN Unipetrol Group continues to meet the goals of its sustainable development and decarbonisation strategy. Developing the use of electricity generated from renewable sources in industry and transport is also a crucial part of this strategy. To meet these goals, the ORLEN retail network will now install photovoltaic installations (PVI) at selected filling stations. The first three PVIs were successfully deployed at the filling stations in Slaná near Semily, Velvary and Česká Skalice.
In the first six months of this year, one photovoltaic installation with an output of 16.56 kW was launched at the filling station in Slaná near Semily, one installation with an output of 11.04 kW at the filling station in Velvary, and one solar installation with an output of 11.04 kW at the filling station in Česká Skalice. The generated electricity is fully used to cover the energy needs of these stations, which reduces their dependence on electricity supplies from external sources and enhances cost-effectiveness.
“Installing photovoltaic facilities at ORLEN filling stations is yet another move in our strategy towards decarbonisation and increased energy self-sufficiency. This way, we support more efficient operations of our filling stations and contribute to performing the climate commitments of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group,” says Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, a member of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group responsible for Retail and Marketing. She adds: “Our long-term goal is to reduce emissions and become carbon-neutral by 2050. Therefore, projects like this represent specific steps to meet this goal.”
The facelift of both ORLEN filling stations included other environmentally friendly measures focused on sustainable energy management and natural sources. The installed technologies include air-conditioning recovery, which allows them to use heat more efficiently, and retention tanks for rainwater, which help reduce drinking water consumption, for example, when flushing toilets.
“We plan to install photovoltaic panels at five more stations by the end of 2025,” says Rostislav Moravec, Director of the ORLEN network of filling stations in the Czech Republic. He adds: “Overall, we plan to modernise 20 sites this way in the coming two years.”
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group intends to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2030 compared to 2019 and become emissions-neutral by 2050. According to ORLEN Unipetrol, the main pillars in executing this strategy are based on decarbonising the energy and transport segments, reducing the energy intensity of production units and plants, increasing the share of electricity from renewable sources, and increasing the share of recycled materials and biocomponents.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude oil processing and the production, distribution and sale of vehicle fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. It belongs among the key players on the Czech and Central European markets in all these areas. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group encompasses refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, REMAQ in Otrokovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. ORLEN Unipetrol also includes the ORLEN network of petrol stations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. It employs over 6,000 people. ORLEN Unipetrol is also a socially responsible company, particularly in the areas of supporting sustainable development, education, local communities and the environment. Its quality employee care is attested to by the prestigious Top Employer certificate which the Group received in 2023 and 2024 and by a host of national accolades. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, the largest energy company in Central Europe.