Toyota to Install Wind Energy at Vehicle Logistics Center in Belgium

As part of the project, TME will lease to Evelop Belgium a portion of the Vehicle Logistics Center’s grounds for the installment of two wind turbines, which are expected to begin operation in early 2013. Each wind turbine will generate approximately 3 MW, with an annual combined capacity of approximately 17.1 GWh.

Toyota, to contribute to realizing sustainable development, promotes environmental activities in all areas of corporate activity, including development, design, procurement, production, logistics, sales, and recycling.

Specifically, in the area of production, it is promoting "sustainable plant" activities(1) globally, aiming "to make the most use of and to harmonize with nature". One example is the harvesting of solar power at Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. in the United Kingdom, planned to start at the end of July.

The wind power effort announced today is one of a series of TME environmental activities that include the "Sustainable Dealer Project(2)" aimed at "greening" the approximately 3,000 Toyota dealers in Europe, as well as the large-scale installation(3) of solar panels at Toyota Parts Center Europe, TME’s parts logistics center, in 2010.

(1) An environmental initiative for Toyota plants based on three conceptual pillars: 1) achieving reductions in energy use through the development and introduction of low-carbon production technologies and daily continuous-improvement activities, 2) shifting to renewable sources of energy such as solar power, and 3) preserving local ecosystems and interacting with local communities through afforestation activities at plant sites. Using TMC’s Tsutsumi Plant in Japan as a model, Toyota is carrying out activities to harness renewable energy and use natural vegetation in the United States, Europe (e.g. U.K., France, Belgium), Asia (e.g. Thailand and India), and other places.

(2) A pan-European project aimed at establishing new eco-friendly dealers and reducing energy consumption at existing ones. New dealers have so far been set up as models in France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia.

(3) 12,800 solar panels were installed on the rooftop of the center’s building in March 2010. The array generates 1.62 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to a 1,700 ton reduction in CO2 emissions and 15 to 20 percent of the center’s annual electricity consumption.

Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of March 2010, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 51 overseas manufacturing companies in 26 countries and regions. Toyota’s vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. 

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