Tipperary drinks company plans solar farm to cut emissions
A Tipperary drinks company is planning to offset their carbon emissions with a solar energy development on their site.
Glenpatrick Spring Water Company has applied to Tipperary County Council for a 10-year planning permission for a solar energy development with photovoltaic solar panels on mounting frames, electrical transformer stations, and underground electrical and communications cabling on their site at Powerstown Demesne and Burgagery Lands-East in Clonmel.
Agents for the company say that the solar farm is intended to offset their high energy costs.
"The Glenpatrick production plant is a high-energy-consuming facility. The proposed development will have a capacity of approximately 8 megawatts (MW) and will export the electricity generated directly to the national grid.
"By generating renewable electricity for export, the proposed development will help offset the production plant’s high energy costs, strengthening its long-term viability and safeguarding local employment,” agents added.
The proposed solar farm will also “make a contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy targets, improve energy security through diversification of supply,” agents for the company said.
The Clonmel facility has been in business for over 30 years, and currently employs 300 staff.
Glenpatrick have previously installed solar infrastructure at their Clonmel site, with the installation of solar PV panels on the roof of their plant.
Glenpatrick Spring Water are part of the Queally Group, and supply soft drinks to customers in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.
Tipperary County Council are due to make a decision on the application by October 23.