From left: Eamonn Sinnott, general manager at Intel Ireland, with Pat O’Doherty, chief executive, ESB. Image: Intel
Intel’s 360-acre Leixlip campus is now green.
Today (20 November), Intel announced that 100pc of the electricity supplied to its Leixlip campus in 2016 was generated from indigenous renewable resources, making it one of the largest voluntary, private purchasers of renewable energy in Ireland.
Since 2016, Intel Ireland has bought all of its power from its key supplier, Electric Ireland. Notably, Ireland is the first major Intel location outside of the US to have bought 100pc certifiable renewable electricity, and now it has also turned more than a dozen facilities around Europe to 100pc renewable energy.
Multifaceted approach to environmental awareness
Eamonn Sinnott, general manager at Intel Ireland, said: “We are very proud to be announcing today that 100pc of all electricity supplied to our Leixlip campus is now purchased as renewable power from Electric Ireland.
“We are doing this as part of our multifaceted approach to environmental awareness and as part of Intel’s commitment to being a global energy sustainability champion.
“We hope that our decision to go green will help to further stimulate the renewable energy market and encourage other businesses to follow suit.”
He concluded by speaking of his hopes for the growth of the renewable energy market in Ireland, which in turn will lead to more efficient and cleaner businesses. “The more participation in the green power market and the more additional capacity that can come on stream will ultimately further help the environment and help to lower costs.”
A low-carbon future for Intel and Ireland
ESB chief executive Pat O’Doherty was also present with Sinnott to mark the positive announcement. He described ESB and Electric Ireland’s partnership with Intel as “a genuine pleasure”.
He also noted ESB’s renewable heritage, and how it would help the company develop its future renewables strategy. “When ESB was founded 90 years ago, 100pc of the energy we generated was renewable, harnessed from the River Shannon.
“As we face into the energy challenges of the coming decades, this provides us with inspiration to play a leading role in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future.”
