BERLIN – BMW is exploring new investments in solar, geothermal and hydrogen energy to lower its dependence on natural gas, the automaker's production chief, Milan Nedeljkovic, told Reuters, warning an embargo on Russian gas would bring the industry to a standstill
BMW, which relied on natural gas for 54 percent of its energy consumption in 2021, is examining where it can add solar panels to its plants and developing plans with local authorities to transport hydrogen to its plant in Leipzig, Germany.
"Hydrogen is very well-suited to lower or even fully compensate for gas demand," Nedeljkovic said.
"Industry accounts for around 37 percent of German natural gas consumption," he said when asked what would happen to BMW's plants in the event of a halt to gas deliveries from Russia. "Not just BMW but the entire auto sector would come to a standstill."