Ventspils Freeport is increasing the use of solar energy in the production process

Author: Freeport of Ventspils Authority

​The metalworking company SIA "Malmar Sheet Metal," operating in the Ventspils Freeport industrial zone, joined the group of companies that receive a significant portion of the electricity needed for production from renewable resources by completing the construction of a solar panel park.
As a result of the project “Construction of a Solar Power Plant at Ganību Street 107, Ventspils,” carried out by SIA “Malmar Sheet Metal,” a solar power plant has been installed, consisting of 864 panels, already providing an electrical capacity of 499 kilowatts.

​“The city of Ventspils was responsive in granting permission for the construction of the solar park closer to the company’s territory, which helped save funds and accelerated the project. The project not only promotes the company’s sustainability but also supports the development of green energy and helps reduce CO2 emissions, as it is planned that up to 25% of the total electricity consumption will come from the solar park annually. The company takes pride in the implementation of this project and its contribution to a sustainable future,” says Raivis Balodis, Production Manager of SIA "Malmar Sheet Metal."
The solar park construction project began in the summer of 2023 and was completed in October 2024. Partial project funding and capital discounts were obtained from the Development Finance Institution “Altum,” which is financed by the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Mechanism resources. Solar parks are already generating electricity for the needs of other companies in the Ventspils Freeport industrial zone, such as SIA “Bucher Municipal” and “Froli Baltic.”
The operations of the Ventspils port focus on the sustainable development of the region, with one of the main focuses being on the production of renewable energy and the development of the service community. The transition from fossil fuel-based energy to a port utilizing locally sourced renewable energy includes both servicing wind farms and producing solar energy, as well as participating in the future hydrogen economy and contributing to the implementation of the European Green Deal.
SIA “Malmar Sheet Metal” is a metalworking company of Belgian origin, operating in the Ventspils Freeport industrial area since 2006. The company primarily manufactures spare parts for chassis of buses, trucks, construction equipment, and cranes. The Ventspils factory employs about 245 workers, producing parts for several globally known brands such as Scania, Volvo, Caterpillar, Komatsu, as well as Cargotec and Atlas Copco.