Nissan has plans for a major expansion to its renewable energy generation at its Sunderland plant.

Complementing the plant’s existing wind turbines and solar farm, the proposed 20MW solar farm extension would add 37,000 solar panels so that a total of 20 per cent of the plant’s energy could come from onsite renewables.

Nissan began integrating renewable energy sources in Sunderland in 2005 when the company installed its first wind turbines on site. These turbines contribute 6.6MW power, 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.

The solar farm is being developed and installed by partner company Engenera. The first step in the process is a community consultation which starts this week, with a full planning application expected to follow later this year.

Nissan has set itself the goal to achieve carbon neutrality across the company’s operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050. As part of this effort, by the early 2030s every all-new Nissan vehicle offering in key markets will be electrified, as well as introducing innovations in electrification and manufacturing technology.

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