Continental’s Petaling Jaya tyre plant goes solar

KUALA LUMPUR: Continental’s Malaysian tyre plant in Petaling Jaya, Selangor has taken a big step forward when it comes to sustainability with the introduction of their solar energy project.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
How big is the installation of the solar panels at Continental's PJ plant?
2,500 solar panels covering a whopping 10,000 square metersWhat kind of energy can it produce?
It is enough to cover about 13% of the plant’s electricity needs during the dayThe first phase of this initiative has seen the installation of 2,500 solar panels covering a whopping 10,000 square meters.

That rooftop solar real estate can generate 1,500 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of solar energy—enough to cover about 13% of the plant’s electricity needs during the day. The green push is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by around 1,400 tons annually, which is no small feat.
Andrea Somorova, Managing Director at Continental’s Petaling Jaya plant, put it this way: “The solar panel installation project at our tire plant in Petaling Jaya reflects the dedication to reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable energy solutions. By investing in sustainable initiatives, we not only support global environmental goals but also ensure a greener future for the communities we serve.”
Flora Hong Xu, the plant’s manager, echoed the sentiment, saying, “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.”
The project was launched on January 28, with Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir, in attendance.
He pointed out that Continental isn’t just cutting down its electricity bill with this move—it’s actively supporting Malaysia’s push for a carbon-neutral future.
“Continental's commitment to sustainability at its tire plant in Petaling Jaya goes beyond solar energy; it is part of a broader strategy to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. By utilizing clean, renewable energy, the company is not only lowering its operational costs but also contributing to Malaysia’s goal of a carbon-neutral future. This is a perfect example of how industries can lead the way in achieving national environmental goals,” he said.
But here’s the kicker—this is just Phase 1. Continental isn’t stopping at 2,500 solar panels. The plan is to double the plant’s solar capacity by 2026, aiming to generate 4 million kWh of clean energy annually.
Continental has set itself some pretty big environmental goals. The company is aiming for a 20% reduction in energy consumption by 2030 (compared to 2018 levels) and wants to achieve full climate-neutral production by 2040.
On a global scale, all electricity purchased by Continental since the end of 2020 has already been sourced from renewable energy, backed by RE100 Initiative standards.
Continental's PJ plant interestingly, has been around since 1963 and has seen quite a few transformation over the years. It became fully owned and operated by Continental in 2012 and has since positioned itself as a key production hub, specialising in Commercial tyres.
Notably, it’s the only site within Continental’s global network that produces OTR X-Ply tires. These heavy-duty tires, used for port operations and massive earth-moving machines, range from 24 inches to 35 inches in size.
It seems Continental wants to prove that big industry players can go green without losing momentum. Who else in the industry is going to follow suit?
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