Diageo claims that the investment will enable St James’s Gate to phase out the use of fossil fuels in its direct brewing operations and reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90%.
By 2030, the site’s renewable energy strategy will combine the use of grid-supplied electrical power heat pumps and biogas generated within a new water recovery facility, as well as a projected reduction in the water used to brew Guinness of 30%.
A planning application for the decarbonisation project will be submitted to Dublin City Council later this year after Diageo engages with industry experts and local communities.
The investment was announced on 16 May by Diageo CEO Debra Crew, who was joined at the brewery by Taoiseach Simon Harris TD, minister for enterprise, trade and employment Peter Burke, and the CEO of Enterprise Ireland Leo Clancy.
“Industry is a key pillar of national and global efforts to address climate change, and it is welcome and important that Diageo is showing leadership by decarbonising its operations here in its home city,” said Harris.
“Guinness has been made in Dublin for over a quarter of a millennium, and today so many tourists visit the location while they are here. It’s not just a green transformation for St. James’s Gate but a flagship transformation that will send a strong message to the world. It also demonstrates the Government’s commitment to businesses, big and small, to make the green transition, and to work in partnership to help achieve our climate goals.”
Meanwhile, Crew thanked the Irish Government and Enterprise Ireland for their support of the project.
She added: “St. James’s Gate is an historic location for an iconic brand. We’re 260 years into our 9,000-year lease at St. James’s Gate and this investment will ensure that Guinness has an exciting and long-term sustainable future. We are proud to lead the way on decarbonisation, both as a major Irish business and as an industry-leading company.”
In other news, Scottish brewer Tennent’s has announced plans to close its Newbridge site in Edinburgh.
