In a major step toward reducing its carbon footprint, BMW Group Plant Steyr has fully transitioned to district heating powered by renewable biomass, eliminating its reliance on natural gas. This milestone was marked today by Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG’s Board Member for Production, and climate advocate Arnold Schwarzenegger, who together symbolically activated the new energy source in front of more than a thousand employees.
The switch to district heating is part of BMW’s broader efforts to decarbonize its global production facilities. Plant Steyr, which consumes around 250 gigawatt hours of energy annually, will now receive heat from a biomass power plant located less than a kilometer away. The plant, operated by Bioenergie Steyr GmbH, uses locally sourced wood chips as a renewable heat source.
“By switching to 100 percent heat from regenerative biomass, we are taking a major step today,” said Klaus von Moltke, Director of BMW Group Plant Steyr. “Our plant now sources both its electricity and heat from renewables.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger emphasized the urgency of acting on climate change during his keynote speech, followed by the symbolic shutdown of the plant’s gas supply. After the ceremony, Schwarzenegger toured the facility’s electric motor production line and engaged with employees, highlighting BMW’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
This transition marks yet another milestone in BMW’s journey to optimize its carbon footprint and move towards fossil fuel-free operations across its global production network.
