A photovoltaic system will be built on the premises of HD Erwitte by autumn 2023, which will generate more climate-neutral green electricity than the logistics site consumes. The self-generated electricity will save more than 2,500 tonnes of CO2 per year.

_{Tuesday 2022-12-13}

​​​​​HELLA is taking a big step towards CO2 neutrality at its logistics centre in Erwitte: The energy requirements of the 235,000 square metre site, which houses both HELLA Distribution GmbH and a HELLA Gutmann Solutions training centre, are to be covered predominantly by self-generated, climate-neutral solar power as early as autumn of the coming year.

​To this end, HELLA, in cooperation with the energy company Enercity Solutions, is building a photovoltaic system with 6.8 megawatt peak (MWp) on certain roof surfaces and an open area of the logistics centre in the north of the Erwitte industrial estate. This roughly corresponds to an average annual consumption of around 1,500 four-person households in Germany. "We take responsibility for climate protection: By switching the Erwitte logistics centre to green electricity, we will save more than 2,500 tonnes of CO2 annually," says Adrian Horbert, head of the HELLA site in Erwitte.

​The municipal committee for urban development, environment, climate protection, mobility and digital affairs unanimously gave its consent to the building application on 13.12.2022, thus paving the way for the project under planning law.

​In addition, a conversion of the heating systems to heat pump technology is being examined in order to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels. The heat pumps could be supplied during the day by the self-generated electricity. In accordance with HELLA's climate targets, all of the company's locations will be CO2-neutral by 2025.

​With the climate protection project, HELLA is also making a contribution to biodiversity: A local seed mixture is spread on the ground under the photovoltaic system. The resulting flowering strip will provide food and shelter for insects.

​The Erwitte site manages a logistics area the size of nine football pitches with a storage capacity of more than 50,000 pallets. More than 500 employees ship more than 37,000 products from the competence centre to car manufacturers as well as workshops all over the world. HELLA Distribution is thus one of the most modern logistics centres in Europe. Despite the built-over open space, there is sufficient area for the development of the site in the future.