Shanghai (ZXZC)- On October 21, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. ("BMW Brilliance") officially broke ground on its geothermal energy project in Shenyang city, the capital of Liaoning province, marking a major step in the company's commitment to sustainable energy solutions, according to a post on BMW Group's WeChat account.

Photo credit: BMW Group

Partnering with the Shenyang government and local collaborators, BMW is leveraging innovative approaches to support the region's transition to a low-carbon energy structure, said the automaker.

The project will drill 28 medium-depth geothermal wells, covering a total heating area of approximately 580,000 square meters. Once completed and operational in the 2025 heating season, the facility will provide 100% non-fossil fuel heating for BMW’s Shenyang powertrain plant and its sixth-generation battery center, infusing the production of future BMW "Neue Klasse" vehicles with green energy.

Under the guidance of the BMW iFactory production strategy, technology innovation is key to BMW’s goals of efficient and intelligent manufacturing. This geothermal project will employ several cutting-edge industry technologies, harnessing renewable geothermal energy in a fully enclosed, zero-emission, and pollution-free process that captures heat without extracting water. The project will also contribute to cleaner heating solutions in North China, helping to improve air quality during winter months.

BMW Group said, this geothermal initiative is a testament to its proactive response to China's call for green development and its commitment to achieving sustainability through innovative production and operations. Upon completion, the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 18,000 tonnes annually. Working alongside partners such as China Huaneng Group, Wanjiang New Energy Co., Ltd., and Sino-German Park Development Construction Group, the project will operate for more than 20 years, contributing to the preservation of Shenyang’s water and soil resources, safeguarding biodiversity, and driving regional green development for the long term.