Mercedes-Benz has unveiled plans to build a wind farm at its test track in Papenburg, northern Germany, with an output of more than 100MW.
The wind farm’s output would cover more than 15% of the annual electricity demand of Mercedes-Benz Group AG in Germany.
As part of its effort to install more wind turbines by the middle of the decade, Mercedes-Benz is also planning a long-term power purchase agreement with a partner, equivalent to a triple-digit million euros amount.
The large-scale installation of photovoltaic systems on the test site is also being considered.
The project plans and an ecological impact review will be carried out in close coordination with the local authorities and stakeholders.
The approximately 800-hectare site has been an integral part of research and development activities of the carmaker since 1998.
Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Production and Supply Chain Management, said: “The targeted expansion of renewable energies at our own locations is an integral part of our sustainability strategy.
“With the realisation of the planned wind farm project in Papenburg, we are taking an important step in this direction.
“We make an active contribution to the energy transition and the expansion of onshore wind power in Germany. By installing photovoltaic systems on the roofs of our plants on a large scale, we are gradually reducing our external energy requirements.”