ARDAGH Glass Packaging-Europe has announced that a new solar installation at its glass facility in Irvine, Ayrshire, is now generating enough electricity back to the grid to remove the equivalent of an estimated 356 tonnes of CO2e annually.
During the summer months, the solar panels are tipped to provide up to 25% of AGP-Irvine’s total electricity usage. The remaining renewable electricity used at the facility will continue to be supplied by a third party.
Working with energy partner ESB Energy, AGP revealed it has installed a 1.75MWp solar PV system of 3,842 panels on two warehouse roofs, which will generate approximately 1.584MWh of electricity each year, to support the site’s production of over 350 million glass bottles for some of the world’s leading spirits brands.
Graeme Shepherd, plant director at AGP-Irvine, said, “This solar installation is another step forward in enhancing the sustainability of our operations at Irvine, as well as reducing the amount of electricity we take from the grid. It shows our commitment to decarbonising the glass containers we produce, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence.”
Annelene Ikemann, sustainability director, AGP-Europe, added, “The Irvine installation achieves another step in our decarbonisation strategy. It is one of three AGP-Europe on-site sustainable solar projects that, together, are expected to replace more than 12,000 MWh of electricity consumption from the grid, avoiding the release of c. 5,000 tons of carbon emissions per year.”
Pat Fenlon, executive director, customer solutions, ESB Energy, commented, “The successful deployment of the 1.75MWp solar array at Ardagh Irvine represents our continued commitment to supporting sustainability and innovation projects for our customers. Our continued monitoring and maintenance ensures optimal performance which can help support Ardagh Irvine to focus on the core aim of reducing carbon emissions.”
This project contributes to Ardagh Group’s strategy to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and follows the launch of solar power installations in the group’s glass and metal production facilities in the Netherlands, in the past six months.
