€30 Million Renewable Energy Plan Announced For Cork Harbour

The Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group, consisting of four healthcare manufacturing facilities in the Cork Harbour area, today announced plans to develop renewable energy sources on each of the sites. The four companies, Centocor, DePuy, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, are planning to construct up to eight wind turbines in total across the four sites. The proposed renewable energy plan aims to reduce the carbon footprint of each site by up to 30%, or up to 22,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum, while also reducing the cost of operations significantly for the companies involved.

One of the main driving factors behind the creation of the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group has been the high cost of electricity in the Irish market. With among the highest energy costs in Europe, Irish manufacturing sites have been looking at ways to reduce the cost of operations in order to remain competitive. The wind energy project announced today represents the latest initiative by each of the four companies involved to bring their energy costs down to a sustainable level.

The Irish government has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% before 2020. As each of the sites operates on a 24/7 basis and uses significant amounts of energy, this project will help Ireland reach that ambitious goal.

Gerry Collins, VP of Centocor Biologics Ireland, said that the plan will have a significant environmental benefit. “Each of the companies involved in this project has a strong commitment to improving environmental performance. This project will reduce each site’s use of electricity generated through carbon generating means by up to 30%, reducing the impact of our operations on the environment.”

James Winters, Plant Manager of DePuy Ireland, said that the project made sound economic sense for each site. “Ireland needs to be more competitive. By reducing the cost of our operations, each site will make itself more attractive for further investment. This project will help ensure that Cork remains a viable location for continued investment and operations.”

Finbar Whyte, Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline, said that the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group is committed to engaging with the local community and ensuring that the people in the harbour area are as informed as possible about the project. “Each of the four member sites has a history of engagement with the local community. We are fully committed to public consultation with the local community and we will be communicating with all interested parties to ensure that people are as informed as possible about this project.”

John Alexander, General Manager of Novartis Ringaskiddy Ireland Ltd., said that project demonstrated the excellent culture of innovation that exists in Ireland. “This project is one of the first of its type in the world. The creation of the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group has taken advantage of the expertise and innovative spirit that exists in Ireland.  By bringing the four sites together, this project has shown that Ireland remains a centre for excellence in manufacturing, efficiency and innovation.”

Barry O’Leary, CEO IDA Ireland, welcomed the initiative and stated “Transformation is a key theme in ‘Horizon 2020’, the recently published IDA strategy document. Increased energy efficiency and the use of alternative energy supplies to enhance operational competitiveness are critical elements while also positioning Ireland as an emerging green economy. The Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group has adopted a leadership role and this is to be welcomed and applauded”

As part of the public consultation process, open days are being held next week and people are welcome to view the plans for the project at the National Maritime College, Ringaskiddy on Tuesday the 31st of August between 4pm and 6pm and on Wednesday the 1st of September between 7pm and 9pm. Information sessions will also be held in the Commodore Hotel, Cobh on Tuesday the 31st of August between 7pm and 9pm and on Wednesday the 1st of September between 4pm and 6pm.

Construction Timeline:

·       EIS preparation – Q3 to Q4 2010
·       Public consultation – Q3 and Q4
·       Planning application submitted – end of Q4 2010
·       Planning decision – Q2 2011
·       Construction – Q3 2011

Why Wind Energy?
Wind Energy is one of the most mature and stable renewable energy sources available. There has been a major expansion of wind energy generation across Europe, with continued increases in the efficiency of wind energy generation and a continued reduction in the cost of installing these systems. Globally, over 80 countries produce commercial wind energy with over 340 terawatts of energy produced in 2009.  The generation of up to 30 megawatts of renewable energy in the harbour area means that each of the manufacturing sites will see a significant decrease in the CO2 emissions generated through manufacturing activity. The generation of wind energy requires no external fuel source and generates zero emissions, making it one of the cleanest sources of energy available.

Centocor Biologics (Ireland)

Centocor established it’s operation in Ringaskiddy in 2005 on a 100 acre site with an investment of €500 million. For more than 25 years Centocor has been a global leader in the field of biomedicines, in particular pioneering monoclonal antibody technology a cutting-edge approach to producing medicines that launched a new generation of products to treat immune related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis.  The facility in Ringaskiddy is now operational producing biomedicines for both the treatment of immune related diseases and new and innovative cancer treatments.

DePuy Ireland
The DePuy franchise has a well-established reputation as an innovator in new product development.  In the 1960’s DePuy researchers were at the forefront of the concept of total hip replacement, a development which is largely responsible for shaping the modern day orthopaedic market.  DePuy’s products are primarily used by orthopaedic specialists and spinal neurosurgeons to treat patients with musculoskeletal conditions resulting from degenerative diseases, deformities, trauma and sports-related injuries.  DePuy Ireland established a state of the art manufacturing facility in Ringaskiddy in 1997. The site predominately manufactures orthopaedic knee & hips replacement joints. In 2002, a global supply chain organisation was located at the Ringaskiddy site which takes responsibility for global demand and supply planning.

GlaxoSmithKline
GSK has a strong heritage in Ireland and employs over 1400 people across 4 sites in Cork, Waterford and Dublin. Manufacturing R&D facilities are based in Currabinny, Co, Cork, which has been in operation since 1974. Commercial Operations are based in Dublin and a Consumer Healthcare Manufacturing Facility in located in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. GSK Cork is a New Product Introduction and Global Supply Site with a co-located R&D Pilot Plant. The site has substantial Manufacturing, Laboratory & Environmental facilities with specific expertise in Physical Property Science. The site manufactures 11 active pharmaceutical ingredients for the Oncology, Infectious Diseases, NeuroScience and Cardiovascular GSK Product ranges. The site also co-funds Drug Discovery products in Cork and Dublin Universities.

Novartis Ringaskiddy Ireland Ltd.
The Ringaskiddy plant was established in 1989 and manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients.  In 1998, it extended its facilities to include an internal logistics and global supply chain operation.  Novartis Ringaskiddy produces 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients for drugs including Diovan® a cardiovascular agent for reducing blood pressure; Ciclosporin, an active ingredient used in drugs to prevent transplant rejection; and Glivec® the revolutionary oral cancer drug for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).