Solar expansion drives Nissan toward carbon neutrality

The 37,000-panel extension would result in a fifth of the plant’s energy coming from existing onsite renewables that already include wind turbines and a solar farm. According to Nissan, this would be enough to build every Nissan LEAF sold in Europe.

Nissan Rogue built with recycled aluminium

Nissan boss gives post-Brexit assurance to Sunderland plant

In a statement, Alan Johnson, vice president manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland, said: “Renewables have already made a big difference to our business and we continue to look for ways to make the manufacturing process more sustainable.

“As our products made in Sunderland become increasingly electrified, our manufacturing operations are an important part of the ecosystem that will take us to carbon neutrality.”

Nissan began integrating renewable energy sources in Sunderland in 2005 when the company installed its first wind turbines on site. These 10 turbines contribute 6.6MW, with the existing 4.75MW solar farm installed in 2016. The proposed 20MW solar farm extension would take the total output of renewables to 32MW at the plant.