Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is partnering with EDP to install a 7 MWp solar project at its Luxembourg facilities. Enerdeal, now part of the EDP group, will be installing a 5 MWp rooftop solar array and a 2 MWp carport system at Goodyear’s research and development and industrial complex.
Generating 6,500 MWh of Electricity Annually
In a significant step towards sustainable energy, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced a partnership with EDP (Energias de Portugal) to install a 7 MWp solar project at its facilities in Luxembourg. The initiative will be executed by Enerdeal—a renewable energy solutions provider that joined the EDP group in 2023—and involves two distinct solar installations at Goodyear’s research and development and industrial complex.
7 MWp solar project at its facilities in Luxembourg (Image: Collected)
The project includes a 5 MWp rooftop solar array and a 2 MWp carport system, spread across Goodyear’s various facilities in Colmar-Berg, Bissen, and Dudelange. Expected to generate 6,500 MWh of electricity annually, this energy will be consumed on-site, significantly reducing Goodyear’s carbon footprint and saving an estimated 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
This initiative is part of a 20-year agreement between Goodyear and EDP, following the “As-a-Service” model. Under this model, EDP covers 100% of the investment costs, and the financial benefits are shared between the companies. This innovative financing approach allows Goodyear to deploy a substantial renewable energy solution swiftly and efficiently.
Renewable Energy Goal 2030
Goodyear’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its ambitious energy goals. In 2021, the company set a global target to transition its manufacturing operations to 100% renewable energy by 2040, with an interim goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Goodyear has already made strides by procuring 100% renewable energy credits for its plants across Europe and Turkey. The company currently has on-site solar installations at ten facilities worldwide, totaling 30 MW. These new installations in Luxembourg will be the fifth in the EMEA region and the eleventh globally.
Romain Hansen, Vice President EMEA Product Development at Goodyear, expressed enthusiasm for the new projects: “These new projects mark an additional step forward in Goodyear’s transition to renewable energy in our facilities, and I’m proud to see the expansion of solar panel installations among our facilities in Luxembourg. In addition to our 2030 and 2040 goals, Goodyear has sustainability ambitions focused on product development and important sustainability projects related to product development, testing, and energy efficiency.”
Strategic Implementation of Solar Arrays
The installation of the solar arrays has been planned to optimize energy generation and integrate seamlessly with Goodyear’s existing electrical system. The solar projects are expected to be operational by early 2025, aligning with Goodyear’s sustainability goals and reinforcing its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
Johann Saxenhammer, Energies and Facilities Manager at Tire Plant Luxembourg, emphasized the importance of this careful planning: “Energy optimisation was at the heart of discussions throughout the preparation of this project. That’s why the integration into our existing electrical system was carefully planned to ensure a safe and efficient connection, as well as the specific location of the panels on the roof to optimise energy efficiency and maintenance.”
Francois Neu, Enerdeal’s Country Manager, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “The solar as-a-service financing model allows our clients to rapidly and effortlessly deploy a massive renewable energy solution, fully in line with climate urgency and the growing strategic concern of most leading industries for corporate social responsibility. We are proud of this project with Goodyear, paving the way to a more sustainable future.” This collaboration with EDP and the implementation of the solar projects marks a significant milestone in Goodyear’s journey towards sustainability. By leveraging EDP’s expertise, Goodyear is well on its way to achieving its ambitious environmental goals.
