Mercedes-Benz plans 100-MW wind farm to power German operations

Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ETR:MBG) plans to build a 100-MW wind park at its test track in Papenburg, northern Germany, as part of a broader strategy to cover more than 70% of its energy demand in production with renewable energy by the end of this decade.

The electricity produced by the planned wind park will cover more than 15% of the automotive group's annual power consumption at home.

As part of its decarbonisation efforts, Mercedes-Benz, previously known as Daimler AG, is also planning to sign a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a partner that would be worth a triple-digit million euro amount, it said on Monday.

"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," said management board member Joerg Burzer.

Apart from the wind project, the group is considering other green energy initiatives at the 800-hectare test site in Papenburg, including a large-scale solar plant. Local authorities are set to review and assess the project plan and its ecological impact.

"By installing photovoltaic systems on the roofs of our plants on a large scale, we are gradually reducing our external energy requirements," Burzer added.

Mercedes-Benz has already achieved carbon-neutral production at its company plants and is targeting a 70% renewables share in its production by 2030. To reach the goal, the group is focusing on the expansion of solar and wind energy at its own locations and clean power supply through PPAs. A triple-digit million euros amount will be invested in the installation of photovoltaic systems alone by 2025, the carmaker said.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!