Diageo has announced plans to invest €200 million in a carbon-neutral brewery in Kildare, Ireland.
The new facility will brew lagers and ales, including brands such as Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny and Carlsberg.
In order to reduce overall energy and water consumption, the site will be powered using 100% renewable energy. As a result, the brewery will be able to reduce carbon emissions by up to 15,000 metric tons a year.
Diageo said that the transfer of the production of lagers and ales to the new facility will allow St James’s Gate to increase the production of Guinness to meet export demand, and will help the company to meet its 2030 environmental commitments.
Tánaiste and minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Leo Varadkar, said: “This €200 million investment by Diageo is really great news for the future development of Ireland’s thriving food and drink industry, and also for the wider national economy. It’s also extremely positive for Newbridge and the local economy in Kildare, with up to 1,000 jobs being created during the construction of the site, and 50 once built.”
Colin O’Brien, category head – global beer supply at Diageo, added: “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 for the brewery to Kildare County Council in September. If permission is granted, the beverage giant plans to begin brewing in 2024 following a construction period of around two years.
