Volkswagen’s Brazilian arm, Volkswagen do Brasil, plans to invest EUR120m (US$172m) in hydropower which will eventually supply almost 40% of the electric power required by the company.
VW says that it is the first automaker in Brazil to invest in the generation of clean power from renewable sources.
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One of the two power plants began operating in March 2010 and the second plant is due to be completed in 2013. Both facilities are located in São Paulo state where VW operates three of its four plants. In the course of construction work, some 500 new jobs will be created in the region.
As part of the expansion of hydropower, VW is also establishing a 5.8km-long green belt around the power plant reservoir. The woodlands form part of a reforestation programme for 100 indigenous tree species.
