Toyota reveals Burnaston eco-site plans
Toyota is set to become the first car manufacturer to install a large-scale solar panel array in the UK at its Derbyshire plant. The company is set to fit 17,000 photovoltaic panels on the site, generating enough power to build 7,000 cars a year.
The £10m project will be paid for and installed by British Gas.
Toyota's Burnaston, Derbyshire plant produces its Auris hybrid, Auris and Avensis vehicles.
The solar array is located on 968,751 sq ft of industrial land within the plant – the size of almost four-and-a-half football pitches.
Generating electricity for use on site, the project aims to help reduce the plant's carbon footprint, support energy security and cut its power bills, said Toyota.
The Japanese car manufacturer said the scheme will save up to 2,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year and the saving in energy will be equivalent to 4,600,000 kWh.
When fully operational, it will be capable of supplying enough energy to build approximately 7,000 cars a year.
The cost of the solar panels is estimated at about £10m and will be installed and paid for by British Gas. Installation work has started and the array is expected to begin supplying power to the plant in July.
Tony Walker, Toyota Manufacturing UK deputy managing director, said: "We are already making a significant contribution to the UK’s low carbon economy with production of Auris hybrid – the first European built full hybrid car.
"Generating solar power on-site to supply electricity to the plant underlines our commitment to do even more to further reduce our carbon footprint and is yet another example of our environmental leadership. We are delighted to be working in partnership with British Gas to achieve this."
Jon Kimber, managing director of British Gas New Energy, said Toyota's plans made it "a real beacon" for green business throughout the UK.
