22-10-2019

Gazprom Neft begins generating solar power at its Omsk refinery

Gazprom Neft’s Omsk Refinery has completed construction of the region’s first 1 MW solar-power plant. Situated on a 2.5-hectare plot, the new power station comprises 2,500 solar panels, produced by Russia’s Khevel solar-power company. This investment project on introducing green energy technologies, unique to Russian industry, forms part of the major development programme under implementation by Gazprom Neft at its Omsk Refinery since 2008. This pilot facility supplies electricity for all of the Omsk Refinery’s administrative buildings, including a standalone residential complex for 2,600 employees.

Omsk Oblast Governor Alexander Burkov, Omsk Refinery CEO Oleg Belyavsky, and Oleg Shutkin, Director for Engineering and Generation, Khevel, were all present at the official switch-on ceremony. The agreement on developing this pilot station, which will determine parameters and lead-times for the construction of the company’s future industrial solar-power plants, was signed during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2019. The station was built in less than six months.

Mr Burkov praised the Omsk Refinery’s unique experience in establishing a source of environmentally friendly energy directly within the grounds of an industrial enterprise.

“In order to secure the best possible outcomes, we are introducing innovations  in all areas of activity as part of the Omsk Refinery’s development programme. That means automated production, reliable cleaning and purification systems,  and, of course, energy. There can be no doubt that modern industrial enterprises have to be not just efficient, but also environmentally friendly. The Omsk Refinery’s solar power project is a perfect example of that approach.” Alexander Burkov Omsk Oblast Governor.

“In order to secure the best possible outcomes, we are introducing innovations in all areas of activity as part of the Omsk Refinery’s development programme.  That means automated production, reliable cleaning and purification systems, and, of course, energy. There can be no doubt that modern industrial enterprises have to be not just efficient, but also environmentally friendly. The Omsk Refinery’s solar power project is a perfect example of that approach.”  Oleg Belyavsky CEO, Gazprom Neft Omsk Refinery.

“Its solar power station will provide the Omsk Oil Refinery with additional generation, improving energy efficiency and environmental friendliness by making use of dormant areas not involved in the technological process. Incoming solar radiation at Omsk means the station’s output is likely to be 1.2 million kilowatt hours (KWh). That sort of volume is equal to burning more than 1,800 tonnes of coal, and will avoid more than 5,000 tonnes of CO2 atmospheric emissions from coal-fired power plants.” Oleg Shutkin Director for Engineering and Generation, Khevel.