Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

354 Chapter 13: Environment and Industry 7. Resource use in industry 21 www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/energy-use-overview/ (accessed 15 July 2024). Operators of industrial installations are required to use resources such as energy and water more efficiently and to minimise waste as a condition of their EPA-issued industrial emissions licences. Energy management The industrial sector accounted for approximately 18% of final energy consumption in Ireland in 2022. 21 Efforts to improve energy efficiency and transition to more sustainable energy sources are crucial to reduce environmental impacts. Many licensed installations have implemented the requirements of their industrial emissions licence in terms of energy auditing and plans to reduce emissions but have then exceeded the minimum emissions criteria by installing renewable energy systems and infrastructure. In recent years, many industrial facilities have moved away from oil- and gas-fuelled electrical power generation and steam generation. The installation of solar-powered systems is one area where there has been significant investment. The provision of ground-mounted solar farms adjacent to industrial facilities is increasing (Topic Box 13.7), and several planning applications for such developments are under consideration by the planning authorities. Water use Many industries in Ireland use significant amounts of water, mainly in the following processes. ■ Water as a product ingredient. Water is used in the brewing and distilling sector and in other aspects of drinks manufacturing, where large volumes of water are blended with other ingredients to make a final product. Topic Box 13.7  Going beyond compliance Case study: Eli Lilly, Cork During 2021, Eli Lilly installed the single largest solar farm in Ireland at the time of installation (Figure 13.18). The capacity of phase 1 of the project was 5.6 MW (megawatt) maximum output. Phase 2 added an additional 3.4 MW capacity, bringing the total maximum output capacity to approximately 9.0 MW. The 6.5-hectare farm will power a significant proportion of the company’s Cork site. Figure 13.18  Eli Lilly solar farm adjacent to its plant in County Cork