DHL Supply Chain opened its first fully solar-powered sustainable logistics center globally in Thailand in October. (Photo: DHL)
DHL Supply Chain opened its first sustainable logistics center in Thailand in October, fully powered by on-site solar systems. The approximately USD 43 million investment underscores the company’s confidence in Thailand’s growing role in sustainable trade.
“Thailand stood out to us thanks to its government’s robust renewable energy policies,” Hendrik Venter, chief executive officer of DHL Supply Chain, told the Bangkok Post. He added that amid geopolitical volatility, many customers are diversifying inventory across multiple sites to reduce risk and boost flexibility, with Thailand emerging as a key logistics hub in the region.
Solar-powered warehousing cuts the need for RECs
The Bangna Sustainable Logistics Center operates entirely on renewable energy generated on-site. It features a 4.2 MWp solar panel system spanning approximately 24,000 square meters, supported by 10 MWh battery storage and smart energy management systems.
Solar energy in Thailand offers a competitive edge, as it is more cost-effective than grid electricity and helps mitigate risks from potential power disruptions. Modern supply chains must integrate sustainability and logistics as one system, Javier Bilbao, the company’s Asia-Pacific chief executive officer, told the Bangkok Post.
For DHL Supply Chain’s customers with science-based emission targets (SBTi), operating in a solar-powered facility provides measurable carbon reductions without relying on renewable energy certificates. The Bangna Sustainable Logistics Center is expected to reach full capacity by next year.
Thailand at the center of sustainable and resilient trade networks
Designed with resource efficiency in mind, the logistics hub incorporates low-water-use appliances, high-efficiency cooling, and natural roof skylights to cut energy consumption. Lithium-ion battery equipment powers daily operations, complemented by sustainable packaging practices and a robust waste management system that reduces the facility’s environmental footprint.
Transport solutions at the center include electric vehicles powered by 100 percent renewable electricity, with routes optimized through DHL’s Connected Control Tower for improved efficiency and lower emissions.
To enable truly sustainable logistics, Thailand should continue to invest in supporting infrastructure such as roads, airports, and electric vehicle charging networks, ensuring that green logistics capabilities are accessible nationwide, said Bilbao.
The Bangna Sustainable Logistics Center incorporates low-water-use appliances, high-efficiency cooling, and natural roof skylights to cut energy consumption. (Photo: DHL)
At the same time, the center is designed to cope with shifting global trade dynamics. Trade barriers and tariffs introduced by the U.S. administration have added new challenges to global supply chains, reshaping trade flows worldwide. DHL Supply Chain has observed a decline in certain import lanes into the U.S., while intra-Asia trade volumes are rising, said Venter.
DHL Supply Chain advocates keeping inventory close to demand centers and adopting multi-sourcing to avoid dependence on a single supplier or location. The company has therefore chosen Thailand to meet the accelerating intra-Asia trade demands.
To help customers adapt, DHL employs artificial intelligence for predictive analysis and geopolitical risk mapping, allowing proactive adjustments to supply chain routes and operations amid global shifts.
“This new facility reflects global trends in consolidation, sustainability, and resilience,” said Steve Walker, chief executive officer of DHL Supply Chain Thailand Cluster.
Source: Bangkok Post, DHL
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