Skoda’s component plant in Vrchlabí, CZ, is set to become the brand’s first CO2-neutral production site in the world by the end of this year. Skoda has taken several measures for this including using renewable energy sources and planting as many trees as possible.
In addition, the CO2 emissions have been cut from an initial 45,000 tonnes per year to a current 3,000 tonnes. More than 88% of the electricity used by the plant – approximately 41,500 MWh, already comes from renewable sources; the factory requires around 47,000 MWh of electricity each year. Natural gas is the only remaining fossil fuel used, which will be gradually replaced by CO2-neutral methane from biogas plants in 2021, the company said.
The plant is pursuing 12 projects that are claimed to save more than 2,000 MWh of thermal energy and almost 1,800 MWh of electricity in total. These include measures such as closing unused heating circuits and regulating room temperatures to save energy. In addition, the lighting in numerous areas of the factory premises will be limited to operating hours. A thermal imaging camera is used to detect heat loss not only around the building but also within the heating system. By detecting this loss, it is possible to resolve any leaks and thus save heat, and consequently reduce CO2 emissions.
Furthermore, the carmaker aims to plant almost 40,000 trees near the Vrchlabí site this year. This project began in mid-May 2020, when a group of 29 staff members – including the plant manager Ivan Slimák – planted 2,000 seedlings in Špindlerův Mlýn in the Krkonoše National Park.
The DQ200 7-speed DSG gearbox is being manufactured at the Vrchlabí factory since 2012, with 2,200 units being made per day.
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