€2.4 Billion agreement will see Kildare Innovation Campus go green
The site will be powered by renewable electricity from the Cuillalea Wind Farm in County Mayo
A €2.4 Billion redevelopment agreement will see Kildare Innovation Campus receiving a steady supply of renewable electricity.
It was announced yesterday (September 29 last) that the Campus had signed a three-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with gas and electricity company Flogas.
As part of the CPPA, the Campus will be supplied with renewable electricity from the 5.1 MegaWatt Cuillalea Wind Farm in County Mayo. However, an exact start date has not been set.
It is hoped that this deal will allow the Campus to reduce its carbon emissions by an estimated 2,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (also known as CO2) annually.
Furthermore, it is hoped that this CPPA will allow the Campus to become Ireland’s only carbon-neutral hub for science, innovation, and technology.
Reacting to the ambitious CPPA, Allan Shine, the CEO of the Campus, said that the partnership with Flogas and Cuillalea Wind Farm "is a game-changer" for the site.
According to Mr Shine, the deal will the Campus "to attract environmentally conscious tenants and investors while significantly reducing our carbon footprint, we’ve found the support of our key account manager in Flogas invaluable".
He added: "By choosing local, traceable, renewable wind energy from a specific renewable asset in Ireland, we are setting a new standard for sustainable commercial development in Ireland and demonstrating our commitment to a greener future."
'GROUNDBREAKING'
John Rooney, the managing director of Flogas Ireland, also welcomed the "groundbreaking" CPPA.
He said: "This agreement demonstrates Flogas' commitment to providing accessible and affordable renewable energy solutions to businesses across Ireland.
"By combining our strong customer relationship management, our in-depth knowledge of the Irish energy market and strategic relationships with Irish wind-power generators, we are enabling Kildare Innovation Campus to power their operations with clean, sustainable wind energy and achieve their ambitious sustainability goals."
Mr Rooney concluded by adding: "We are also exploring the potential for Solar as a Service (SaaS) solutions with the campus in the future, and a broader range of services from sister companies, further enhancing their sustainability efforts."
In addition, Finbar Healy from Radius, the energy broker which provided guidance to the Campus on the agreement, said: "This CPPA is a win-win for Flogas, Kildare Innovation Campus, and the environment. It showcases the potential for smaller businesses to access renewable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future, while also providing Flogas with a valuable customer and supporting the growth of the Cuillalea Wind Farm."
(L-R): Allan Shine, the CEO of Kildare Innovation Campus; Michael Armstrong, director at Cuillalea Wind Farm; John Rooney, managing director of Flogas Ireland; and Pat English, director at Cuillalea Wind Farm. Credit: Dillon Photography.