SOUTH AFRICA – Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is doubling down on its commitment to environmental sustainability with a substantial investment of R100 million (US$5.35m) in an innovative venture.
The company is set to install 22,847 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at its East London manufacturing plant, harnessing solar energy to generate electricity and significantly reduce carbon emissions in the production process.
This ambitious project, constituting the second phase of MBSA’s journey towards achieving net carbon-neutral production, aligns seamlessly with Mercedes-Benz’s broader sustainable business strategy known as Ambition2039.
By 2030, the automotive giant aims to cover more than 70% of its energy needs in manufacturing using renewable sources.
Andreas Model, CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Manufacturing, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, stating, “The installation of the Photovoltaic solar panels at our manufacturing plant is a key pillar of our energy strategy and will contribute towards the East London plant’s daily maximum demand requirement of 12MW in times of peak demand.”
He further highlighted the additional R100 million investment in the second phase of the Photovoltaic solar energy project, emphasizing its acceleration of carbon-neutral manufacturing goals and corporate responsibility.
Model underscored the company’s commitment to sustainability, noting, “As a company, we are strategically working towards fulfilling our sustainability commitments, and feed-in agreements are required to utilize the new capacity from 2024 onwards.
“It remains our collective responsibility to safeguard the environment for future generations. To this effect, we call on all stakeholders to respond swiftly and deliberately act towards helping to alleviate the escalating electricity situation in South Africa. Every action counts.”
The investment in PV solar panels not only showcases MBSA’s dedication to environmental sustainability but also answers the government’s call to reduce industrial electricity consumption on an overburdened electrical grid.
Additionally, the PV installation presents a cost-effective energy solution and serves as a renewable energy source.
The initial phase of the project, involving the installation of 3,692 PV solar panels, was completed in 2022, providing 2MWp (megawatt peak).
The upcoming phase will cover an additional 5 rooftops of the East London Plant with 22,847 solar panels, expanding the production plant’s capacity by an additional 12.6MWp (megawatt peak).
The combined total of approximately 26,539 solar panels will amount to 14.6MWpeak, aligned with the East London Plant’s maximum demand during any production day.
The project is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2024 in collaboration with a local supplier.
Once completed, the PV system is expected to contribute around 20% of the East London Plant’s annual MWh (megawatt-hour) consumption, signifying a significant stride towards sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
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