Turkish steelmaker Tosyalı Holding has announced plans to invest nearly USD 1 billion to install 1.2 GW of solar power capacity for self-consumption across eight provinces. The initiative aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance renewable energy use in its operations.
Tosyalı has signed agreements to develop 120 MW of peak solar capacity in Osmaniye, located in southern Turkey. The investment underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable steel production by integrating clean energy into its processes.
Steel producer Tosyalı, which has 235 MW of installed solar capacity for self-consumption across all its sites, is further greening its operations. Speaking at the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Fuat Tosyalı, the board chairman, described the new endeavor as “one of the world’s largest self-consumption solar power plant projects.”
The 1.2 GW solar project completion to be in 2027
Tosyalı Holding has confirmed that the first 120 MW of its planned 1.2 GW solar power capacity will become operational this year, with the full project set for completion by 2027 according to the steelmaker.
According to the company’s announcement, the project will utilize locally produced N-Type Topcon panels with a capacity of 725 W, manufactured under the Tosyalı V-Solar brand. The large-scale renewable energy initiative aims to support Tosyalı’s efforts in decarbonizing its steel production and enhancing sustainability in the sector.
The agreements for the first phase were signed with GE Vernova, based in the United States, and Turkish engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor Inogen.
The new project is expected to cover about 50% of Tosyalı’s energy needs from solar power
With the new project, the Turkish steelmaker aims to meet approximately 50% of its energy needs from solar energy, according to Fuat Tosyalı. He stressed that Tosyalı currently emits only around 600 kilograms of CO2 per ton of steel produced, compared with 2.5 tons of CO2 per ton released by other producers.
According to him, steelmakers worldwide churn out some two billion tons of steel annually, with 70% of it produced using coal-based energy.
Established in 1988, Tosyalı Holding is one of the biggest Turkish companies in its branch, operating in Europe and Africa as well. It owned the Željezara Nikšić steel plant in Montenegro until its closure a few years ago.