Stellantis expands use of solar power at Gurun plant

KUALA LUMPUR: Stellantis, one of the world’s leading automakers and mobility provider, has partnered with Leader Energy Group to expand solar power energy generation at its plant in Gurun, Kedah.

The partnership covers the installation, operation, maintenance and financing of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Stellantis will also seek to improve energy efficiency in the Gurun plant's operations.

Leader Energy Group is a Malaysian-based power company with over 20 years of operations in the power sector across Asia Pacific.

Adopting solar power is another step forward in meeting Stellantis’ commitment to achieve carbon net zero emissions by 2038 as part of its Dare Forward 2030 strategy.

The installation of the PV power system at the Gurun plant will generate a maximum output of 2,189.81 Kilowatt peak (kWp) electricity. Over the next 21 years, these PV systems are expected to generate 54.811 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy, accounting for an estimated 34% of the plant’s annual energy consumption requirements.

The solar energy adoption will offset around 1963.4 tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to 50,340 trees planted in a year.

“Stellantis is focused on building sustainable and profitable business models in the markets where we operate. We are excited to work with partners like Leader Energy that help us contribute to the fight against climate change. This partnership is a positive step for the Asean region and will assist Stellantis in achieving its industry-
leading target of carbon net zero by 2038, mapped out in the 'Dare Forward 2030' strategy,” said Stellantis Asean and general distributors head Christophe Musy.

The collaboration is part of Stellantis’ continuous efforts to improve the energy efficiency of its operations around the world. This announcement follows Stellantis’ efforts to ramp up solar projects in Michigan, United States, and the implementation of PV systems at its Mangualde plant in Portugal.

The project was managed by Leader Solar Sdn Bhd (LSSB), a Malaysian-based subsidiary of Leader Energy, which provides
renewable energy solutions to Commercial & Industrial (C&I) clients across the region.

It took four months to complete the on-site construction of the single rooftop solar PV system designed for the Stellantis plant in Gurun. The project was completed on Oct 31.

“Leader Energy is committed to drive Malaysia’s agenda of achieving 31% renewable energy mix by 2025, and 40% by 2035. This new rooftop solar PV project at Stellantis’ Gurun plant will bring us one step closer to that goal,” said LSSB country m anager Izwan Rasul.

Stellantis secured full ownership of the Gurun plant in November 2021.

It produces and supplies Peugeot models namely the 2008, 3008 and 5008 to markets in Asean including Malaysia, Philippines,
Thailand and Cambodia.