COLOGNE, Germany, Jan. 17, 2023 – Ford is looking to the future with a new solar power plant at its Almussafes manufacturing facilities in Valencia, Spain. By 2035, Ford is committed to having zero emissions electric vehicles for all vehicle sales in Europe and targets carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities and suppliers. This latest initiative, which began operating in late 2022, highlights the company’s on-going drive to meet that commitment.
The photovoltaic area, that converts solar energy into electricity, is in a non-productive area of the plant covering two zones of solar panels, capable of producing the equivalent power every year to run 1,400 average homes1. The current production of close to 4,641 megawatthours per year will increase this summer by 3,762 megawatthours per year, the equivalent of 1,100 additional average homes. In practice, this means that Ford’s Valencia factory will be making a meaningful reduction in its current electricity demand from the national grid this year.
Ford is looking to expand the areas of solar panels on further non-productive land targeting to reach 10 megawatts of peak power by 2024. The feasibility of potential future solar panel installations on the roofs of factory buildings is also being studied.
“Now, more than ever, we all realise the need to use renewable energy sources. As we move to an all-electric future and carbon neutrality across our manufacturing footprint at Ford, investments in innovations like this new solar power plant in Valencia creating new self-supplied renewable energy, which is an important contribution in our ongoing ambition to help build a better world,” said Stuart Southgate, director, Sustainable, Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ford of Europe.
Since January 1, 2022, all electric energy used by the Ford plant in Almussafes comes from renewable sources with all electric energy purchased to power Ford’s manufacturing facilities across Europe already 100 per cent-sourced from renewable energy. The company is continuously looking for ways to increase the use of renewable energy and has the ambition to use 100 per cent carbon-free electricity in all manufacturing globally by 2035.
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1 Red Eléctrica Española sets the average electric consumption of an average home in Spain in 3.2 megawatts/year. Figure based on total power output of 2.8 megawatts at peak times at Almussafes solar power plant and an annual generation of 4,641 megawatts
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com.
Ford in Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 34,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures and approximately 55,000 people when unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 14 manufacturing facilities (eight wholly owned facilities and six unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
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Volker Eis |
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Ford of Europe |
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