SEAT’s SEAT al Sol 2: Major Expansion of Solar Power for Electric Vehicle Production

SEAT S.A. will install 39,000 new solar panels to triple its capacity to self-generate renewable energy (images from the first phase of SEAT al Sol)

(IN BRIEF) SEAT S.A. is set to significantly expand its solar energy capacity with the installation of 39,000 new solar panels across its three production facilities in Martorell, El Prat, and Barcelona. This expansion, known as SEAT al Sol 2, will provide an additional 21 megawatts (MW) of power, generating approximately 29 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy annually. This output will be sufficient to fully charge 500,000 CUPRA Born electric vehicles, and it complements the company’s use of certified green electricity from external sources, making its production processes more sustainable. The project is part of SEAT S.A.’s decarbonization plan, aligning with its transformation toward sustainable mobility and electric mobility goals. The expansion is expected to be operational in 2024.

(PRESS RELEASE) MARTORELL, 30-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — SEAT S.A., a Spanish car manufacturer part of Volkswagen Group, is set to significantly expand its solar energy generation capabilities with the launch of SEAT al Sol 2 in 2024. This solar plant expansion will see the installation of 39,000 new solar panels across three different facilities, providing an additional 21 MW of power. It’s estimated that this expansion will generate 29 million kWh of clean energy annually, equivalent to fully charging 500,000 CUPRA Born electric vehicles.

SEAT S.A.’s commitment to sustainability is evident in this project, which plays a pivotal role in the company’s decarbonization plan. The expansion of SEAT al Sol aligns with the company’s transformation towards more sustainable mobility solutions.

SEAT al Sol 2 will be one of Europe’s largest self-consumption solar installations, with the capacity to generate 21 megawatts (MW) of power, resulting in an annual production of 29 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy. This energy will be utilized to charge electric vehicles, including the popular CUPRA Born model. Importantly, this renewable energy will complement the use of certified green electricity from external sources across SEAT S.A.’s facilities, contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Markus Haupt, SEAT S.A. Executive Vice-President for Production and Logistics, stated, “SEAT al Sol 2 strengthens the objective to decarbonise our facilities and highlights the importance of renewables as a competitive element in our industry. The expansion of the solar project is part of SEAT S.A.’s transformation process, the most ambitious in our history, towards the new era of electric mobility.”

The expansion builds upon the success of the existing SEAT al Sol, operational since 2013, featuring 53,000 panels at the Martorell site, generating 11 MW of power and 17 GWh of clean energy annually. Combined with SEAT al Sol 2, the total solar capacity will reach 32 MW, generating 46 GWh of renewable energy annually.

The new photovoltaic plants will be developed in cooperation with CONECTA2 ENERGÍA, a Spanish independent energy trading company, and are scheduled to begin operations in 2024. In addition to the main production facilities, SEAT al Sol 2 will extend to employee parking lots at the Martorell site, further maximizing solar panel usage for sustainable energy generation.

SEAT S.A.’s transformation reflects the company’s dedication to sustainability and decarbonization. With the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 50% in 2030 compared to 2018, SEAT S.A. aims to become a carbon-neutral company by 2050. This journey involves initiatives such as the electrification of vehicles, green energy usage for EV charging, circular economy practices, and the decarbonization of the production phase.

SEAT S.A.’s ambitious transformation plan coincides with its 30th anniversary and its commitment to producing fully electric cars from 2025 for CUPRA and Volkswagen.

SEAT S.A. Communications

Ezequiel Avilés
Strategic Communications & Reputation
M/ +34 646 303 738
ezequiel.aviles@seat.es

David Pacheco
Strategic Communications & Reputation
M/ +34 616 059 107
david.pacheco@seat.es

SOURCE: SEAT, S.A.