Kariega, South Africa — Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has reached another significant milestone in its long-term renewable energy strategy with the completion of the second phase of its solar photovoltaic (PV) carport project at the Kariega manufacturing plant. The expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to embedding sustainability across its operations and reducing its carbon footprint in line with global climate goals.
Launched in 2022, the multi-phase solar initiative at the employee car park and service centre was conceptualised as a key enabler in VWGA’s transition toward cleaner, renewable energy sources. The project’s first phase, completed in 2024, introduced 5 712 solar panels with a capacity of 3.1 MWp. This initial installation not only demonstrated the viability of large-scale onsite generation but also paved the way for further integration of solar power in Plant Kariega’s energy mix.
Now, with phase two officially complete, VWGA has added a further 2.1 MWp to its renewable infrastructure. The latest installation features 3 582 high-efficiency 585W panels, collectively capable of generating approximately 2 699 MWh of clean electricity per year. This R35-million investment brings the total project spend to R90 million, reflecting the company’s continued focus on building a more resilient and environmentally aligned manufacturing ecosystem.
With both phases operational, the Kariega solar carport installation now boasts a total capacity of 5.2 MWp — enough to produce an estimated 7 125 MWh annually. This enhanced capacity contributes meaningfully to the plant’s energy supply, reducing reliance on the national grid while supporting VWGA’s broader goal of achieving carbon-neutral production.
“The completion of the second phase of our solar project marks another major milestone in our journey towards fully sustainable manufacturing,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at Volkswagen Group Africa. “This shows our commitment to using cleaner energy and making our operations even more environmentally responsible.”
As the automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation, VWGA continues to position itself at the forefront of sustainable production in Africa. The expanded solar project not only boosts the plant’s renewable energy capacity but also serves as a tangible demonstration of the company’s long-term environmental vision — one panel, one project, and one milestone at a time.
