COLMAR-BERG, Luxembourg — Goodyear is moving forward with plans to install solar-power generating stations at its tire-testing facility in Colmar-Berg that eventually will provide clean energy to more than 1,000 households nearby.
The first project, originally announced in May 2020, will cover the installation of 1,500 solar panels over a parking lot at the company's testing facilities and is expected to be completed by August. The second project is slated for a 2022 finish.
Both locations ultimately will produce enough power to operate 1,200 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tons for about 20 years, the company said, without disclosing the scale of investment.
"Thanks to this project we will produce local green and carbon-free energy for Luxembourgish citizens," Xavier Fraipont, Goodyear vice president for product development in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said.
The work will "help the Luxembourgish government in its goal to the switch to 100% renewable energies," Mr. Fraipont said.
Goodyear, based in Akron, is working with energy supplier Enovos Luxembourg S.A. — the main energy supplier in Luxembourg with operations in electricity, natural gas and renewables — on the two sites.
"Enovos' ambitions are enabled by its expertise to develop and put in action renewable energy sourced solution," Enovos CEO Erik von Scholz said. "This joint project illustrates our continuous commitment to drive the energy transition."
Enovos also provides service in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Along with providing energy, the company also develops renewable energy projects with an emphasis on solar and wind power.
Luxembourg Energy Minister Claude Turmes said Goodyear's move will help convince others that solar power, also called photovoltaic energy, benefits both climate and the economy.
The first solar project will cover 43,000 square feet. Goodyear did not provide details of the second project in its May 17 announcement.
The two projects are part of a larger push by Goodyear to reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) over time.
The tire maker reported last November a 19% reduction in GHG emissions since 2010, putting the company ahead of schedule to meet a worldwide reduction goal of 25% by 2023, Goodyear said. The decrease in just the EMEA region is actually 24% since 2010.
