This significant step will bring the plant significant savings in electricity and reduce its operating costs. ‘We took over the project and applied for registration for full use of electricity. We are currently monitoring and analysing the data,’ explains Lukáš Andrášik, a technician at HKS Forge.
According to him, it is very likely that there will be a surplus of energy during weekends, especially in the warmer months. ‘We would like to offer this back to the distribution network. This would allow us to achieve a return on the project much sooner,’ he adds.
A costly investment
More than 3,700 photovoltaic panels are installed on the roof of the forge, covering most of its surface area. The investment in this ecological solution was considerable – the panels themselves and their installation, as well as the technical solution, cost almost one million euros. Another almost 50,000 euros went towards a new transformer, and the same amount was invested in modifying part of the transformer station (retrofitting).
Closer to self-sufficiency
Despite the high initial costs, the investment is proving to be profitable. Based on this year's data, the photovoltaic station will supply the plant with solar energy worth 25,000 euros per month in March. The forge is expected to secure a return on this investment within ten years. The photovoltaic power plant was put into full operation in March 2025 after a six-month testing period that began in September 2024. This step brings HKS Forge closer to energy self-sufficiency and environmentally sustainable production.
DARINA KVETANOVÁ