NLMK increases power generation using by-product gases 1.5-fold

NLMK will increase its use of by-product fuel gases from metallurgical processes at the main site in Lipetsk (Novolipetsk) by the end of the year.

Average annual electric energy generation using coke and blast furnace gases is currently at the level of c. 190 MW, or over half of Novolipetsk’s in-house energy capacity. Following the commissioning of the new Recovery Co-generation Plant, Novolipetsk will be able to utilize all the BF gas from its operations.As a result, Novolipetsk’s total in-house energy generation capacity using by-product gases will increase by more than half to 290 MW. In the near future Novolipetsk is also planning to launch a project on efficient recovery of BOF gases.

As a result of higher secondary resource utilization, steel energy intensity will further decrease, from the current 6.1 Gcal/t to 5.9 Gcal/t in 2012. Moreover, by-product gas recovery will lessen the Company’s environmental footprint, cutting the level of emissions from the plant. The Company has been consistently improving its environmental performance over the years.

Novolipetsk’s installed in-house generation capacity stood at 332 MW at the beginning of 2011. Following the commissioning of the new 150 MW Recovery Co-generation Plant, the Company’s installed generation capacity will reach 482 MW in 2012, making it 56% self-sufficient in energy.