Volkswagen Group Africa has boosted renewable energy capacity at its Kariega Plant in South Africa with the addition of 3 MW of solar power, bringing total output to 5.9 MW.
The company now operates 12,097 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, with plans underway to install more PV panels in upcoming phases. Volkswagen Group Africa has invested nearly R100 million in solar energy, increasing its renewable energy share from 1.5% in 2018 to 17.1% in 2023. The enhanced capacity is expected to save approximately 7,500 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and reduce dependence on municipal electricity.
“By 2025, we aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels to 23%, advancing our goal for Plant Kariega to become a Zero Impact Factory by 2030,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director for Volkswagen Group Africa.
Schwabe noted that these efforts align with Volkswagen Group’s global Go To Zero Environmental Strategy, which seeks to achieve carbon neutrality in line with the Paris Agreement.
