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Pioneering on-site wind energy at Munster Joinery
Long before the industrial revolution or distribution networks, industrial processes utilised the available renewable sources to meet on-site demand for energy. Irish industry is re-familiarising itself with this approach and in doing so is increasing competitiveness while reducing its carbon footprint. Munster Joinery in Ballydesmond on the north Cork and Kerry county bounds has built on the achievements of Dundalk Institute of Technology who installed their own large scale wind turbine in 2005.
With support and expertise from SEI and Wind Energy Direct Munster Joinery now have 4 MW of wind generation installed on-site in the form of 2MW Enercon turbines. The generators, with key design elements by renowned architect Sir Norman Foster, will be operated by Wind Energy Direct and the electricity will be sold to Munster Joinery at a tariff which is guaranteed to be below the retail rate. The projected financial saving to Munster Joinery, with no risk invested, is expected to be approximately €1m over the first 5 years of operation. Wind Energy Direct managed and funded the construction of the turbines which meant Munster Joinery could concentrate on their core business and not have to risk any of their own precious capital. Carbon emissions of the order of 9,000 tonnes per annum will be avoided with the addition of the turbines.
For more information, please refer to SEI website.