Solar power also for Poland

Green electricity for sustainable production – that is a credo for Linde Material Handling. All plants purchase renewable electricity. And when, as in Poland, it is not easily available from outside due to the energy structure, the site simply generates it itself. This is what happened at the Kołbaskowo plant of parent company KION, which produces for Linde MH and has been relying on a large open-field photovoltaic system since 2023.

When the Polish branch opened in May 2021, one thing was clear, regardless of solar power generation: sustainability should not be a secondary concern, but a central principle. The production facility was not only built according to the highest environmental standards, but has been continuously evolving in terms of sustainability ever since – with the goal of permanently reducing its ecological footprint.

Sustainable from the start

Energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental compatibility were already a priority during the construction of the plant. The buildings were certified according to the internationally recognized BREEAM standard and received the "Very Good " rating during the construction phase. The plant performed particularly well in the energy and water management categories. LED lighting, heat recovery systems in the ventilation and powder coating systems, water recycling, employee transportation via dedicated bus routes, and support for carpooling are just a few examples of the comprehensive sustainability concept.

"Our strategy from the beginning was to act responsibly, not only economically but also ecologically," explains Jakub Borowski, Facility Manager at Kołbaskowo . "This also includes taking local conditions and the needs of the people in the surrounding area into account."

Solar energy as a logical next step

Tomasz Maleszka, Senior Director Operations in Kołbaskowo , sees the PV investment as a clear statement: "Solar energy is an important building block for us to increase our energy self-sufficiency and reduce our operating costs. At the same time, we are clearly demonstrating that we take sustainability principles very seriously."

Solar field on factory premises

The modules were installed within the factory premises on a green area close to a residential area. This area is separated from the factory by a green strip with trees and shrubs, which also serves as noise protection. To avoid any disturbance to residents, additional noise measurements were conducted, particularly due to possible inverter noise, but these did not reveal any critical values.

Measurable contribution to climate protection

With a projected annual production of 400 MWh of electricity, the photovoltaic system avoids approximately 307 tons of CO₂ emissions per year – based on the official emission factors of the local grid operator. Since the beginning of 2025, green electricity certificates have guaranteed that all purchased electricity for Kołbaskowo comes from renewable sources, which puts the direct emission savings into perspective. "But regardless of this, our own green electricity from renewable sources remains an important part of our sustainability strategy," emphasizes Maleszka.

Sunny prospects

The performance of the existing plant has so far met all expectations – both technically and economically. An expansion is already being planned: A total output of up to 1,000 kWp is being discussed, which could cover up to 40 percent of the plant's energy needs. Furthermore, Kołbaskowo is consistently pursuing its sustainability path with other measures – including the implementation of a comprehensive energy management system (EMS), investments in battery storage solutions, and projects to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).