NGK to introduce solar power generation equipment at manufacturing site in Japan

January 5, 2023 2:42 pm

NGK INSULATORS, LTD., (NGK), one of the leading company in the field of ceramics, has decided on a policy of introducing photovoltaic equipment (“PV”) with a total capacity of 40 MW at manufacturing sites in Japan and overseas by fiscal 2025. Consuming renewable energy generated in-house will contribute to the realisation of carbon neutrality by cutting annual CO₂ emissions by 22,000 tons.

The group aims to realise the net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050 through its Environmental Vision formulated in April 2021. To achieve this goal, it has drawn up its Carbon Neutrality Strategic Roadmap which sets cutting emissions by 25 percent compared to fiscal 2013 levels by fiscal 2025 as an intermediate target. As one of its strategies for meeting this target, the group is installing PV within the group and working to procure renewable energy.

As part of PV installation efforts, a decision has been made to install PV at the company’s main overseas manufacturing subsidiaries in Poland and Thailand. NGK CERAMICS POLSKA SP. Z O.O. will install large-scale PV with a total capacity of 15.1 MW on the roof of the buildings and on land at its first factory (Gliwice, Silesia Province), as well as on land neighbouring its second factory (Dąbrowa Górnicza, Silesia Province). It is anticipated that these will produce an annual output of 15,240 MWh, which will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by an estimated 10,000 tons in fiscal 2024, the first full year after the installation.

The NGK CERAMICS (THAILAND) CO., LTD. (Samutprakarn Province) will install large-scale PV with a total capacity of 4.25 MW on the rooftops of its buildings, which is expected to produce an annual output of 5,560 MWh. Operation is due to start in fiscal 2023 and it will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by an estimated 2,630 tons. The group’s plan is to switch all energy consumed by overseas manufacturing sites to renewable energy by fiscal 2025, including by actively installing PV.

In addition to efforts for reducing CO₂emissions currently underway, such as installing PV, acquiring Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), and introducing carbon-neutral city gas, the group is also launching initiatives including developing technology for manufacturing ceramics using clean energy sources that do not emit CO₂, such as hydrogen and ammonia. To achieve net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, it will advance various initiatives in regions around the world, including the further installation of PV within the Group and the effective use of renewable energy through storage using NAS^® batteries, to contribute to the realisation of a carbon neutral society.