EAST LONDON – Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize its East London manufacturing plant through a substantial investment of R100 million in renewable energy infrastructure. The automotive giant aims to install a staggering 22,847 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, positioning itself at the forefront of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
This ambitious venture marks the second phase of MBSA’s dedicated journey towards achieving net carbon-neutral manufacturing. By 2030, the company plans to power over 70 percent of its production energy needs through renewable sources, aligning with their sustainable business strategy, Ambition2039, initiated at the East London plant in 2022.
“The installation of photovoltaic solar panels at our manufacturing plant is pivotal to our energy strategy, significantly contributing to our daily peak-demand requirement of 12MW,” remarked Andreas Brand, CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director for Manufacturing. “This investment accelerates our carbon-neutral aspirations and underscores our commitment to corporate citizenship,” Brand.
The previous phase, completed in 2022, saw the installation of 3,692 PV solar panels, generating 2MWp. The forthcoming project will expand the plant’s footprint by a remarkable 12.6MWp across five additional rooftops, encompassing a grand total of approximately 26,539 solar panels. This significant increase in photovoltaic capacity is set to align perfectly with the East London Plant’s maximum demand during production, contributing an estimated 20 percent to the plant’s annual energy consumption.
Scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024 in collaboration with a local supplier, this initiative not only fortifies MBSA’s dedication to environmental sustainability but also responds to the government’s call to alleviate strain on the electrical grid by reducing industrial electricity consumption.
“The investment into PVs demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability and aligns with efforts to curb electricity strain in South Africa,” Brand emphasized. “Moreover, this initiative offers a cost-effective and renewable energy solution.”
The move towards renewable energy at this scale by a major industrial player like Mercedes-Benz South Africa sets a commendable precedent in the automotive sector and underscores the urgency for concerted efforts towards sustainable practices. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, MBSA’s strides towards a greener future stand as a testament to responsible corporate citizenship and environmental stewardship.
