CUMMINS: Half a million dollars invested in renewable energies

As part of their strategy to take care of the environment and improve the communities where they work, Cummins Ciudad Juarez fulfilled an investment of 497 thousand dollars in solar panels to save energy in their plant.

According to Roberto Rivas, manager of the plant in Juarez, this initiative was proposed by the same company personnel settled in the city and is unique in the corporative internationally and this border city.

“During 2017 we began with studies, talking to experts, visiting suppliers, convince the corporate and finally they supported us. 

In November 2018 we were already settling the panels,” explained Rivas. 

Solar panels save the plant 4 % of the total used energy. Besides, they work as a roof for the employees’ parking lot providing shade for their vehicles.

The manager also shared that Ciudad Juarez is excellent for using solar panels, due to its geographic location and the solar energy in the region.

Rivas explained that the company is currently starting a second phase to expand the panels. “The settling was the first phase and we already received funds approval for the second phase, which will cover another section of the parking lot. 

It will cover 3 % additional energy use,” detailed the manager.

The vision Rivas has of the plant is to have more phases and for the corporate to continue supporting this project.

Additionally, he underlined that the expected investment return will be reached in six years. 

On the other hand, the manager shared that the use of solar panels is not the only strategy of the company to reduce energy use and preserve the environment.

“Cummins's vision is that a company can only be as strong as the community where they do business is. We are betting much on each region, either in India, the United States or Mexico. Leadership in the region has to be involved to understand the needs and engaging each employee,” he noted.

The manager invited other industry leaders of the region to approach and get to know the project with the possibility to implement it in their plants.

“We would like to invite other industries to learn how this technology works and its benefits. We would like to inspire other leaders to make the decision we took, not only to benefit the environment but also to benefit their employees,” he ended.

WORLDWIDE INITIATIVES

It is worth mentioning that these initiatives were also applied worldwide, generating 1.4 % of the electric energy of the firm globally. This technology was settled in countries like Australia, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Also, it should be noted which kind of projects allowed the American company to reach a 29 % reduction in its energy consumption worldwide during 2018.

Globally, Cummins is seeking to reduce 32 % of energy consumption in their facilities for 2020, compared with their consumption in 2010, as well as to increase the use of renewable sources energy.

CHARACTERISTICS 

Solar panels

Investment: 497 thousand dollars

883 photovoltaic modules (1,740 m2)

Capacity: 279 kwp

Energy generated: 560 thousand kwp

Estimated energy savings in first phase: 4%

Estimated energy savings in second phase: 3%