Nissan plans 20 MW solar expansion project at Sunderland Plant

Nissan has proposed a major expansion to renewable energy generation at its plant in Sunderland, UK.

Complementing the plant's existing wind turbines and solar farm, the proposed 20 MW solar farm extension represents a further step in Nissan's path to carbon neutrality.

If approved, the 37,000-panel extension would result in 20% of the plant's energy coming from all onsite renewables, enough to build every single zero-emission Nissan LEAF sold in Europe.

The plans are to be shared with the local community this week, ahead of a formal planning application being submitted.

Nissan began integrating renewable energy sources in Sunderland in 2005 when the company installed its first wind turbines on site. These 10 turbines contribute 6.6 MW of power, with the existing 4.75 MW solar farm installed in 2016. The proposed 20 MW solar farm extension would take the total output of renewables to 32 MW at the plant.

The solar farm is being developed and installed by partner company Engenera. The first step in the process is a community consultation which starts this week, with a full planning application expected to follow later this year.