Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-Europe), under the umbrella of Ardagh Group, unveils its latest endeavour in sustainable energy at its Irvine facility in Scotland. The installation of rooftop solar panels marks a significant stride towards reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable electricity on-site. With a commitment to sustainability, AGP-Irvine aims to mitigate its environmental footprint while maintaining operational excellence.
AGP-Europe's initiative entails the deployment of a 1.75MWp solar photovoltaic system, comprising 3,842 panels, across the rooftops of its Irvine facility. This solar infrastructure is projected to generate approximately 1.584MWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to the production of over 350 million glass bottles. By harnessing solar power, AGP-Irvine anticipates covering up to 25% of its electricity demand during peak months, furthering its sustainability goals.
Commitment to renewable energy
In collaboration with ESB Energy, AGP-Europe solidifies its commitment to renewable energy sources. The partnership underscores the company's dedication to reducing reliance on conventional grid electricity. AGP's strategic approach involves complementing solar installations with additional renewable energy procurement, ensuring a diversified and sustainable energy mix for its operations.
Graeme Shepherd, the director of the AGP-Irvine plant, implied: "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, the director of AGP-Europe, commented: "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 12,000MWh of grid electricity consumption, avoiding the release of approximately 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year."
A path to Net Zero: Ardagh Group's vision
AGP-Europe's solar initiative aligns with Ardagh Group's overarching strategy to achieve 100% renewable electricity consumption by 2030. With recent solar power installations at its facilities in the Netherlands, the company is steadfast in its pursuit of sustainability across its European sites. Through proactive measures like solar energy adoption, Ardagh Group strives to lead the transition towards a greener future, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
To know more about such noble green initiatives, review AL Circle’s special report specialising on the same, Sustainability in the Global Aluminium Industry.
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