Kamil Čermák, Chairman of the board of directors CEZ ESCO, a member of CEZ Group, and Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Chairman of LIBERTY Steel Group have agreed a Declaration of Cooperation to work together on the decarbonisation of the integrated steelworks at LIBERTY Ostrava. Based on renewable energy, Ostrava’s GREENSTEEL transformation programme, which combines the resources and green vision of the Czech Republic‘s leading green energy and steel companies, will be a major step in the decarbonisation of the Czech steel industry and the development of GREENSTEEL production.

Through this partnership, CEZ ESCO and LIBERTY agree to create a comprehensive programme to develop sustainable electric, thermal and hydrogen energy sources required to drive LIBERTY Ostrava’s transition from carbon to hydrogen. The partnership will support LIBERTY’s previously announced plans to develop sustainable energy infrastructure at Ostrava in support of its aim to be a carbon neutral enterprise by 2030.

Kamil Čermák, Chairman of the board of directors  of CEZ ESCO, said: “As the leading provider of zero and low energy solutions we are prepared to accelerate our contributions to the Czech Republic’s decarbonisation effort. Industry generates 28% of the total emissions of the Czech Republic, its decarbonization will be challenging and will require focused effort and overcoming many obstacles. As part of this Declaration, we will work with the LIBERTY Ostrava team to identify low and zero carbon technologies and solutions, especially in the area of renewable energy and hydrogen, and how they could bring the most benefit to Ostrava and the Czech steel industry more widely.”

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.

Further information:

LIBERTY Ostrava  is an integrated steel company with an annual production capacity of 3.6 million tons of steel, which is used mainly in the construction, engineering and oil and gas industries. It is a domestic leader in the production of road barriers and tubes. In addition to the Czech market, it supplies its products to more than 40 countries around the world. Together with its subsidiaries, it has 6,000 employees. Thanks to above-standard greening, it manufactures its products with as little environmental footprint as possible. The steel mill belongs to the LIBERTY Steel Group.

LIBERTY Steel Group  is part of the global GFG Alliance owned by Sanjeev Gupta and his family. The GFG Alliance has three independent industrial brands: LIBERTY Steel  Group,  ALVANCE Aluminium Group and  SIMEC Energy Group which share the same values and strive for a long-term sustainable future for industry and society. The GFG Alliance operates in 30 countries, with a total of 35,000 employees and a turnover of over $ 20 billion.

CEZ ESCO (Energy Service Company), member of CEZ Group, focuses on modern energy solutions related to energy efficiency, decarbonization and climate change mitigation for industrial customers, municipalities and institutions. These include energy audits and energy efficiency products, construction and operation of photovoltaic plants and cogeneration units, implementation of metering systems, HVAC and renovation of heating systems. ČEZ ESCO is also a supplier of services related to public and corporate electromobility. It also provides electricity, gas and heat to its customers. It has about 2000 employees. ČEZ ESCO's subsidiaries include AirPlus, AZ KLIMA, CAPEXUS, ESCO Distribution Systems, ČEZ Energetické služby, ČEZ ENERGO, ČEZ LDS, Domat Control System, E-Dome, EP Rožnov, ENESA, HORMEN and KART. More at www.cezesco.cz.