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| An overview of solar power generation facility at BAT Korea's Sacheon Factory in South Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of BAT Korea |
By Kim Jae-heun
BAT Korea will introduce eco-friendly solar power generation facilities in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, as part of its environment, social and corporate governance (ESG) strategy.
The tobacco company announced Tuesday that it is cooperating with LS Electric on a solar power generation project at the Sacheon factory. The two companies agreed to install solar power modules in six areas of the site including building roofs and parking lots covering as much as 16,000 square meters.
The installation and operation of solar power generation facilities is planned to begin next March. The total power generation capacity will reach 1,435.2 kilowatts.
When the factory's solar power facility begins its operation, it will contribute a remarkable amount to carbon reduction. Converting the expected power generation to annual carbon reduction would eliminate about 781 tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to planting 55,784 pine trees, or saving about 1,930 drums of oil in thermal power plants.
"The installation of solar power generation facilities is significant, in particular because it is a concrete action plan for the environmental and social efforts promoted by the BAT group," said Kang Seung-ho, head of manufacturing at BAT's Sacheon factory. "BAT Korea will achieve A Better Tomorrow by reducing the environmental impact of production, and we are going to make efforts to invest in various eco-friendly initiatives for this purpose."
BAT Korea, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, continues to carry out a wide range of activities implementing ESG strategies, including the introduction of solar power generation facilities and water reuse systems in the factory.
The company has expanded the BAT Do-Dream contest to foster talented future workers, provided support for self-reliance and career development for single mothers with the Korean Social Welfare Association, and supported projects for the vulnerable.
LS Electric is a leading company in the power system and automated eco-friendly energy industries. The company has been promoting solar power business for 35 years.
Meanwhile, BAT recently has been named in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the 19th consecutive year and, once again, is the only tobacco company to be included in the prestigious DJSI World Index.
BAT is the highest-scoring tobacco company in 2020, with industry-leading scores in 13 of the 23 categories assessed, while achieving a top score of 100 percent in seven categories.
