Reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has completed a photovoltaic solar panel project at their Component Plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape.

The project, completed in June 2026, comprises 1 410 solar panels mounted on the roofs of the building and its car park, as well as a ground-mounted portion. This facility has a capacity of about 0,88MWp, and is the latest addition to VWGA’s renewable energy projects.

VWGA previously completed a multi-phase solar panel installation over their employee car park, which included 9 294 panels with a capacity of 5.2MWp – capable of producing 7 125 MWh annually. Additionally, similar solar panel projects were completed on the roof of the Final Assembly building (1,7MWp) and the engine plant (1,0MWp).

These projects form part of a long-term sustainability roadmap towards achieving carbon-neutral electricity in VWGA’s production operations. In 2025, Plant Kariega relied on green energy sources for 40% of its energy requirements.

“We have made significant strides in recent years towards fully sustainable manufacturing,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at Volkswagen Group Africa. “As a company we remain committed towards practices that are responsible and sustainable, and our work in increasing our green footprint is never done.”