Continental Tyre Plant In PJ Gains Solar Energy Production Capability

Continetal tyre plant PJ MD Andrea Somorova (left) with Deputy Minister YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah (right) inspecting the newly installed rooftop solar panels.

Tyremakers Continental revealed today that its plant in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, has gained new solar energy production abilities. This was possible through the plant’s new array of 2,500 solar panels covering a 10,000 square metre area on its premise.

The project was launched today in the presence of YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Malaysia. Present alongside him were the plant’s manager Flora Xu and managing director Andrea Somorova.

This latest bid towards sustainability follows up from a similar past effort by the renowned tyremaker. Back in Dec 2023, Continental partnered with Solarvest Holdings Bhd and installed rooftop solar panels at its manufacturing plant in Alor Setar, Kedah.

The initial phase of the latest project at it Petaling Jaya plant is expected to generate 2 million kWh of green energy annually. In turn, this will supply roughly 13% of said plant’s electricity needs during daytime production, reducing its CO2 emissions by 1,400 tonnes annually.

Previously, Continental had also installed rooftop solar panels at plant in Alor Setar, Kedah.

According to Continental, this initial phase will see the new solar panels generate up to 13% of the plant's electricity needs and lower its carbon emissions by up to 1,400 tonnes annually.

Moreover, the firm stresses this is merely the beginning of a “much broader project.” Looking ahead, Continental Tire seeks to double the Petaling Jaya plant’s total solar energy generation capacity to 4 million kWh by end of next year (2026).

“This solar energy project reflects our commitment to sustainability and supports Malaysia’s net-zero goals at the same time. It ensures energy security for generations to come,” says plant manager Xu following the project’s launch today.

Echoing that sentiment was the plant’s managing director Somorova who added this latest sustainable investment “not only support global environmental goals but also ensure a greener future for the communities we serve.”

“This is a perfect example of how industries can lead the way in achieving national environmental goals,” praised Deputy Minister Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah too.