Municipal companies in Białystok increasingly rely on sustainable energy

The Polish city receives millions in EU funding for solar power installations

The Polish city of Białystok is increasingly relying on sustainable energy to perform its municipal services. Thousands of solar panels have already been installed on different municipal buildings, generating clean electricity. The action is now set for expansion, thanks to European funds.

Białystok invests in green energy

Hundreds of photovoltaic panels already generate electricity for the needs of the Municipal Transport Company (KPK) in Białystok, the city authorities inform on their website. The municipal company has just launched an installation, thanks to which it will not only be able to reduce costs but will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

In particular, 494 panels were placed on the roofs of KPK buildings, and 149 on the facades, bringing the total to 643 photovoltaic panels with a maximum power of 202.5 kW. They will produce electricity for the municipal company and constitute one of the largest installations in the region, boast officials from the Polish city.

The photovoltaic installation is expected to cover approximately 55-60% of the company's annual electricity demand. It was launched on December 31, 2020 and, despite the poor weather conditions, has already started to generate its own electricity.

The project under which the upgrades were made was co-financed by the European Union (Regional Operational Program of the Podlaskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020). The total value is almost 1 million 422 thousand PLN, of which the co-financing from the European Union fund amounts to almost 804 thousand. The remaining amount came from the company's own funds.

Finally, the city is currently settling tenders for photovoltaic installations in three other municipal buildings and recently settled the tender for the supply, assembly and commissioning of a photovoltaic power plant with a total capacity of up to 1000 kW for another municipal company - Wodociągi Białostockie (Białystok Waterworks).

“Białystok is at the forefront of clean, ecological cities in Europe. We want it to stay that way, which is why we care for our environment and invest in green energy”, commented Mayor Tadeusz Truskolaski.