Tuesday 3 August 2021

Ireland’s ‘largest’ solar farm to heal pharmaceutical firm’s carbon footprint

Ireland’s ‘largest’ solar farm to heal pharmaceutical firm’s carbon footprint

A new 5.6MW solar farm, claimed to be the single largest project of its kind in Ireland, has been opened in Cork.

The solar farm consists of 12,600 solar panels, which will help power a significant proportion of US pharmaceutical company's Eli Lilly plant at the Dunderrow site with sustainable energy.

It is also expected to reduce the company's carbon footprint by 2,350 tonnes.

The €5 million (£4.3m) development is a joint investment between Lilly and Enerpower, with the latter company receiving support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

Enerpower CEO Owen Power said: “This solar development is the Republic of Ireland’s largest ever installation of solar panels. Over its lifetime, it will provide enough energy to power the equivalent of all the households of Kinsale for the next 20 year.

"Onsite solar PV renewable generation is one of the most sustainable ways to reduce fossil fuel generated electricity. Enerpower is delighted to be involved with this project – the journey to a zero carbon world will require many actions and projects like this are an exciting step forward in the energy transition.”

David A. Ricks, Lilly’s Chairman and CEO added: “Lilly is delighted to partner with Enerpower on this state-of-the-art solar facility and acknowledge the support of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to help bring this project to fruition.

“We’re proud of our team in Kinsale for their contributions over the past 40 years to produce medicines that make life better for millions of people around the world.”

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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