BMW completes Energy Centre and safety hub at Irlbach-Strasskirchen

BMW Group has completed the Energy Centre and fire station at its Irlbach-Strasskirchen battery plant, securing renewable power, heat, cooling and round-the-clock fire safety.

In southeastern Bavaria, BMW Group has marked another milestone on its road to Gen6 battery production. At the Irlbach-Strasskirchen site, construction of the Energy Centre and the on-site fire station has been completed—two assets that form the backbone of the future plant. The project took just 14 months, driven by digital BIM modelling and drone-based progress checks that kept the build aligned with its digital twin.

The Energy Centre, often called the plant’s “heart,” secures all essential utilities: electricity, heat, cooling, water and compressed air. Processes are managed automatically, and a network of sensors provides real-time monitoring of facilities and rooms. Efficiency is the defining feature: waste heat from production and compressors is recovered through heat pumps, ensuring a stable and resilient energy supply.

Water use is designed for maximum efficiency. No water is needed for the battery assembly process itself; instead, rainwater harvested from rooftops is reused for toilets, while potable water is reserved for kitchens and washrooms. The energy concept is fossil-free: the plant is not connected to the gas pipeline, and part of demand will be covered by solar power. VERBUND will install nearly 14,000 rooftop modules across 62,000 m², delivering more than 6 MWp, with construction starting in spring 2026 to align with the launch of series production. Until the new Bayernwerk Netz GmbH substation is commissioned in 2028, a 34 MW provisional connection to existing 110 kV lines will secure supply, supplemented by two on-site transformers rated up to 68 MW.

Safety is a constant presence. Since June, BMW’s own fire service has been on duty around the clock with 26 staff working shifts and five vehicles available. Training and drills are coordinated closely with local volunteer brigades in Irlbach and Strasskirchen.

Together, these facilities highlight how the automaker intends to merge industrial scale with sustainability. From 2026, the site will begin producing Gen6 high-voltage batteries. Even before production starts, Irlbach-Strasskirchen already reflects the vision of future plants—where energy efficiency, digital technology and robust safety systems form the foundation of modern manufacturing.