Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Boosts Energy Independence with New Solar Farm
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has taken a significant step towards increasing its energy independence by opening a massive solar farm at its Gaydon headquarters. The solar farm, which spans 26 hectares and is equivalent in size to 36 football pitches, has a capacity of 18MW and can generate enough electricity to power a third of the British automotive firm’s base. The Gaydon site is home to JLR’s design, engineering, and R&D teams.
This initiative is part of JLR’s broader strategy to source at least 30% of its global energy consumption from on-site renewables. By reducing its reliance on grid energy, JLR aims to mitigate fluctuating energy costs and improve its environmental footprint.
Another similar project is nearing completion at JLR’s Wolverhampton Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre. The facility will be equipped with one of the UK’s largest rooftop solar arrays, featuring over 18,000 panels. This solar installation is expected to generate approximately 9500 MWh of energy annually, meeting 40% of the site’s energy needs.
In the upcoming year, JLR plans to install 10MW of solar car ports at its Merseyside site. These innovative structures, including canopies and solar walkways, are commonly seen in sunnier regions like Spain. The solar car ports will primarily serve as energy sources for electric vehicle charging.
Andrea Debbane, JLR’s chief sustainability officer, emphasized the significance of these initiatives, stating that they play a crucial role in reducing the company’s global operational emissions and moving closer to its net zero goal. Debbane added, “They directly reduce our global operational emissions and help move us closer to our net zero goal, whilst delivering tangible value today and for the long-term.”
