Renault and Iberdrola partnership aims for greener factories

30 April 2021

Renault Group and Iberdrola have entered a strategic partnership to reduce CO2 emissions from the OEM’s factories in Spain and Portugal. The energy company will supply the carmaker with long-term green energy, as well as renewable and second-life battery solutions, all in the pursuit of cleaner production. The announcement comes shortly after Renault unveiled its corporate social-responsibility (CSR) policy. An essential element is for the OEM to achieve European carbon neutrality in 2040, and worldwide in 2050. As carmakers introduce electrified models to meet emissions targets and market expectations, they must also ensure their means of producing vehicles is as environmentally friendly as possible. Green objectives Group industrial director, and Renault Iberia president and CEO, José Vicente de los Mozos, met with Ignacio Galán, chairman of Iberdrola, at the carmaker’s bodywork and assembly plant in Valladolid to sign the new agreement. The collaboration marks the beginning of a decarbonisation process for the OEM’s plants over the course of the next three years. Through a long-term agreement, Iberdrola will become the manufacturer’s renewable-energy supplier for 100% of the group’s energy needs in Spain. Renault is hoping its activities in the country will help contribute to its goal of halving global plant emissions by 2030. ′At Renault Group, we firmly believe in our responsibility to the environment, which is why one of our objectives is to achieve zero carbon footprint in our factories, making us a leading automotive company in terms of environmental commitment,’ said Vicente de los Mozos. ′To this end, we are establishing agreements such as the one we are signing today with Iberdrola, which will enable us to reduce CO2 emissions from our plants in an innovative way and in line with our use of Industry 4.0 technology, enabling us to continue working on the future competitiveness of our industrial facilities.’ Achieving objectives The two companies’ collaboration will also extend to other green plant initiatives. This will include the electrification of heat from thermal processes, analysis of possible efficiencies in energy management through big data, on-site renewable projects (photovoltaic and wind power plants), and the reuse of electrically-chargeable vehicle (EV) batteries for energy storage and supply. For Galán, the agreement showcases both companies’ commitment to decarbonisation. ′We share the same vision to achieve an emission-free economy and we have the same goal. Today we are joining forces to reduce not only the emissions made by vehicles during their lifetime, but also those generated by their manufacture,’ he said. ′This will be the first carbon-neutral car-manufacturing facility, with renewable energy supply, electrification of heat, second life-cycle batteries and the possibility of using other technologies, such as green hydrogen. With partnerships such as the one announced today, Iberdrola and Renault are putting our resources and know-how at the service of a more sustainable society,’ Galán concluded. The analysis and design of electric mobility and charging solutions is also envisaged, both for internal use by the plants’ fleets and for linked charging. This means employees, third-party companies and end customers will gain access to this system through the ′ZE ready to charge’ process developed by the group.
Companies Vehicle Manufacturers