Planning Permission Powers Brewery’s Renewable Shift
Struggling with rising energy costs and emissions regulations? One Irish brewery secured planning permission to run fully on green power, slashing its carbon footprint dramatically.
Rye River Brewing Company, located in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, has entered a one-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement with Pinergy. This deal supplies 100% renewable electricity from the Beale Hill wind farm in Listowel, Co. Kerry. The independent craft brewery now powers its entire operation without fossil fuels, marking a pioneering move for Irish-owned producers.
The partnership channels every kilowatt directly from Kerry’s wind resources. Founder and CEO Tom Cronin highlighted how this eliminates carbon emissions tied to fossil fuels. It offsets energy use equivalent to 222.5 round-trip flights from Dublin to New York each year, advancing climate goals through sustainable practices.
Prior sustainability investments total around €5 million. These efforts cut water usage by over 25% and electricity consumption by 15% since 2018. Recent adoption of Pinergy’s Acutrace system tracks energy and water in real-time, driving further efficiencies via data insights.
This planning permission aligns with broader Irish trends, like nearby An Bord Pleanála decisions for flood-risk development and housing scheme approvals. Breweries face similar hurdles, including material contravention reviews and environmental impact assessments, yet Rye River demonstrates green transitions boost viability.
Pinergy has locked in over 220GWh of annual Irish wind generation through such agreements. Demand surges as firms target carbon reductions. Rye River’s step inspires craft producers to pursue renewable pacts, potentially easing environmental impact scrutiny in future expansions.
Celbridge’s craft scene gains from this leadership. The brewery’s award-winning operations now embody low-emission brewing. Similar initiatives, like Diageo’s Newbridge project, underscore Kildare’s role in sustainable industry growth, often hinging on swift planning permission outcomes.
Wind energy from Kerry powers barley processing in Kildare, creating a regional green loop. Cronin emphasized the shift’s role in mitigating climate change. Pinergy’s Guarantee of Origin ensures verified renewables, setting a model for others eyeing material contravention exemptions through eco-upgrades.
Efficiency gains extend beyond energy. Water reductions support flood-risk development compliance in vulnerable areas like Kildare. Rye River’s model shows how planning permission can enable housing scheme approval-style scrutiny for industrial sites, prioritizing sustainability.
Originally reported in IMAGE Magazine on Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:08:15 +0000. Full story
