Zero emissions goals by 2040
Volkswagen Poznań, like other Volkswagen Group plants worldwide, has committed to full decarbonization by 2040. This ambitious commitment covers all stages of production, both in car manufacturing plants and foundries. As Damian Kurzajczyk emphasized, these goals are treated not only as a challenge, but also as an element of increasing the company’s competitiveness and responsibility towards future generations.
Green energy and investments in photovoltaics One of the key steps on the road to decarbonization was the transition of the Volkswagen Poznań plants to green energy. Since 2019, all three plants in Poznań and Września have been powered by 100% green energy.
In addition, two photovoltaic farms with a total area of 22 hectares, which is the equivalent of about 30 football pitches, were built on the premises of the plant in Września. These installations, generating 15.2 MW, cover about 20% of the plant’s annual electricity demand, and on sunny days they can completely satisfy production needs.
Next steps: wind energy and biomethane Volkswagen Poznań does not intend to stop at the results already achieved.
It plans to further invest in renewable energy sources, such as wind farms, which are expected to cover another 8-10% of electricity demand.
In addition, the company is working intensively on the possibility of using biomethane to replace natural gas, which currently constitutes 60% of the plants’ energy mix. Transforming current energy sources to more ecological ones is key to the full decarbonization of production processes.
Energy Efficiency and Circular Economy In addition to generating its own energy, Volkswagen Poznań is investing in technologies that increase energy efficiency. By recovering waste heat from foundry processes, the company heats 6,000 apartments in Poznań, which is an example of effective cooperation with the local community. This approach is consistent with the concept of a circular economy, where waste from one process becomes a resource for another.
Challenges and cooperation with the government
Despite significant progress, full decarbonization of the industry is not possible without cooperation with the government and local governments. Damian Kurzajczyk emphasizes that regulatory support and simplification of procedures related to connecting new renewable energy sources to the power grid are key to success. Another important element is the development of energy storage technologies, including the use of hydrogen, which can play a key role in the future of energy.
Volkswagen Poznań is taking decisive steps towards the full decarbonization of its production plants. Investments in green energy, energy efficiency and cooperation with the government and local communities are the foundations on which the company’s strategy is based.
The automotive industry faces many challenges, but the actions taken by Volkswagen Poznań show that energy transformation is possible and can become a key element in building a sustainable economy of the future.
