POLAND'S RENEWABLE INVESTMENT $37 BLN

RENEWABLES NOW - December 1, 2020 - Polish oil refiner PKN Orlen (WSE:PKN) plans to end the current decade with 2.5 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, backed by 2 GW of gas-fired sources.

The targeted renewables include 1.7 GW of offshore wind farms and about 800 MW of onshore wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) plants. A biofuel and hydrogen fuel output expansion is also in the plans.

The group presented its ORLEN2030 strategy on Monday, including commitments to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2050 and pursue carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets for 20% less emissions from existing refining and petrochemical assets and 33% from the power generation business in 2030.

PKN Orlen said in a press release that its transformation path until 2030 revolves around renewable energy and advanced petrochemicals. It intends to actively manage its business portfolio on a CAPEX budget totalling PLN 140 billion (USD 37.4bn/EUR 31.2bn) by the end of the decade and this would include PLN 85 billion set aside for these two particular segments. The rest will be invested to bolster the efficiency of the group's existing assets.

The group expects its new strategy to drive a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to around PLN 26 billion. The power generation, petrochemical and refining segments are seen to each make a PLN-7-billion contribution in 2030.

"We will spend a total of approximately PLN 140 billion on our strategic objectives, which will generate a total of PLN 195 billion EBITDA over the next 10 years. The diversified business will provide us with financial stability and will enable us to consistently build value for our shareholders," said Daniel Obajtek, president of the PKN Orlen management board.

(PLN 1.0 = USD 0.267/EUR 0.223)

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