Racing Bulls has marked a major step forward in motorsport sustainability with the inauguration of its new cogeneration Fuel Cell plant in Faenza, a facility designed to deliver clean energy, reduce emissions, and strengthen local industrial collaboration.
Developed with long‑standing engineering partner Cefla, the project aligns with the sustainability strategies of Red Bull, Formula 1, and the FIA, and positions the team as one of the most forward‑thinking operations in the paddock.
A new benchmark for sustainable energy in motorsport
The plant sits within the 14,500‑square‑metre Racing Bulls Green Energy Park, adjacent to the team’s headquarters. It integrates a high‑efficiency photovoltaic system with Cefla’s Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology, known as the NOVA SOLUTION, which is powered directly by certified biomethane sourced from local partners.
This combination enables the site to generate an average of 4.6 GWh of zero‑carbon electricity per year, while also recovering heat to fully cover the facility’s heating needs.
Because the SOFC system operates without water and produces virtually no noise, the environmental footprint is significantly reduced. The plant’s design ensures energy autonomy for the Faenza site and supports the development of local skills and supply chains, reinforcing the region’s role as a hub for advanced engineering.
Enrico Fastelli, Facility Management & HSE Director at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, emphasized the team’s commitment to responsible innovation:
“I am thrilled to highlight our commitment to minimizing the environmental footprint of our operations and achieving true energy autonomy. By forming strong partnerships with local suppliers, we’re not only reducing emissions but also driving innovation and growth within our community.
“By maximising opportunities for synergy with the local area, we’re fostering the development of skills and partnerships that benefit everyone involved.”
Cefla’s President, Gianmaria Balducci, connected the project to the company’s long engineering heritage: “In 1932, Cefla was founded in Imola with a clear mission: engineering excellence at the service of progress.
“Today, exactly one year after the start of our partnership with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, we are celebrating a milestone that projects that same vision into the future of sustainability. We are inaugurating a NOVA SOLUTION by Cefla plant that is already up and running and fully operational.
“This gives us great pride to see how our history, made up of great achievements, is now enriched with a new chapter in which Italian technological innovation guarantees energy self-sufficiency to such an illustrious partner.”
Mario Gargano, Sales Director BL Energy at Cefla, highlighted the uniqueness of the installation and its local impact: “The Fuel Cell plant in Faenza is proof of what can be achieved when technological innovation meets environmental responsibility.
“The plant is unique on the market, with 550 kW of fuel cells powered directly by biomethane produced in the nearby Caviro plant, with zero emissions for the environment.
“This plant not only enables innovative technology but is also a prime example of how companies at a local level can work together. We at Cefla are proud to be actively participating in such projects.”
