ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih’s Kryvyi Rih Mining and Metallurgical Plant (AMKR) saved more than UAH 200 million in the period from May 2020 to July 2024 as part of a program to modernize lighting systems.
According to the company’s information in the corporate publication Metallurg, the program is still being implemented.
It was specified that the program has significantly improved lighting in the main premises of ten shops.
According to Alexander Efremov, Head of Energy Management Department, the company spends the most money on natural gas and electricity, the prices for which have risen sharply, out of all the energy resources purchased. He also noted that electricity is used not only to run production equipment but also to illuminate shop buildings and other premises. Thousands of different lighting fixtures with different types of lamps are used to illuminate numerous buildings and structures. Among them are outdated, inefficient and uneconomical incandescent lamps, sodium lamps and others.
“Modern achievements in this area have proven that LED lighting fixtures are many times more powerful and economical: A 10-watt economy lamp gives as much light as a 100-watt incandescent lamp. In addition, in many workshop buildings and structures, the lighting level ranges from 30 to 70 lux, while the standards require at least 200. So the need for changes is urgent,” explained Yefremov.
According to him, the modernization requires significant funds, so the experts decided to use energy service contracts, where the contracted energy company replaces the lighting system at its own expense and then receives money from energy savings together with the enterprise.
“The quality of the services and equipment provided by Ukrainian energy companies was very high. The pilot project of the program started at the end of 2020 in Rolling Shop No. 3. The modernization was completed in May 2021. We took measurements and received at least 200 lux, and the first months of using the new lighting showed the reliability and savings we expected. The next participants in the program were the first ore dressing and crushing plants of the Mining Department. We have achieved considerable savings,” stated the head of the department.
The program continued after the full-scale invasion. The main buildings of a number of shops, as well as ROF-2, SPC-1, BOF Shop, Blooming Shop and other shops, received new powerful, economical lighting. Some units modernized systems at additional facilities. The implementation is ongoing at Sinter Shop 2. Several other shops are next in line.
“We sign a long-term contract with the contractor, and together we measure and record the current level of lighting and electricity consumption. Then our partners completely change the equipment – switches, electrical wires, lamps and fixtures. Then, on a monthly basis, we record energy consumption and calculate the savings compared to pre-modernization costs. During these contract years, the contractor maintains and repairs the equipment,” explained Yefremov.
“ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is the largest rolled steel producer in Ukraine. It specializes in long products, including rebar and wire rod.
ArcelorMittal owns the largest mining and metallurgical plant in Ukraine, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, and a number of small companies, including ArcelorMittal Berislav.
