Diageo to create Ireland’s first purpose-built carbon neutral brewery
The ‘state-of-the-art’ brewery will be powered with 100% renewable energy and will harness the latest process technology to minimise overall energy and water consumption. This will enable the brewery to avoid up to 15,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, says Diageo.
The new facility will brew lagers and ales including Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny and Carlsberg: with a full operational capacity of 2 million hectoliters.
The new site will provide 50 jobs and create up to 1,000 during its construction.
As the production of lagers and ales is transferred to the new facility, this will enable St James’s Gate to increase the production of Guinness to meet global demand. Additionally, it will free up space at St James’s Gate to allow introduction of new renewable technologies at this site.
Colin O'Brien, Category Head – Global Beer Supply, Diageo said, “Our plans for a new, state-of-the-art brewery in Kildare, and the developments at St. James’s Gate, will enable growth in overall beer exports from Ireland.”
“We are fully committed to embedding sustainability across our business from grain to glass and this announcement represents the next step in our integrated approach towards achieving one of Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress commitments by becoming carbon neutral in our direct operations.”
Diageo will submit a planning application to Kildare County Council in September this year and, if successful, plans to commence brewing in 2024 following a construction period of approximately two years.
