COLMAR-BERG, Luxembourg—Goodyear is planning to build a pair of photovoltaic power stations at its testing facilities in Luxembourg and offer the power generated to Luxembourg's primary energy provider to offset power it buys for its tire plants.
The two photovoltaic power stations will be capable of generating around 5 gigawatt hours of clean energy annually, enough to power 1,200 households for 20 years and reduce carbon emissions by 46.3 tons annually.
"At Goodyear, we are continuously working to reduce our environmental impact," said Xavier Fraipont, Goodyear's vice president for Product Development in Europe Middle East and Africa. "This project will contribute to the local green and carbon-free energy supply, benefiting the community and helping to protect the environment for years to come."
Goodyear's testing facilities near its European Innovation Center in Colmar-Berg occupy 25 acres. Goodyear and Enovos Luxembuorg S.A. will work together to erect the photovoltaic power stations on those grounds. The partners did not disclose the expected investment.
"We are delighted to continue our great and longtime collaboration with Goodyear," Erik von Scholz, CEO of Enovos Luxembourg said. "This project is a prime example of our ambitions to increase our local renewable energy production and provide our customers with high quality green products for a more sustainable future."
Goodyear said this initiative is part of its "Better Future" corporate responsibility strategy, which includes goals to reduce its environmental impact and increase its commitment to protect the environment.
The t ire maker claims it is "tracking well" toward that target, with the photovoltaic power stations projected to add local, green, carbon-free energy into the Luxembourg energy grid beginning in 2022.
The photovoltaic stations will expand on Goodyear's long-standing relationship with Luxembourg's main energy supplier, Enovos, to produce steam for production at its Luxembourg plant.