Guinness manufacturer Diageo has announced plans to invest €200 million in a carbon neutral brewery in Littleconnell, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, which will brew lagers and ales including Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick's, Kilkenny and Carlsberg, according to a statement published on Diageo.com.
Diageo will submit a planning application to Kildare County Council in September of this year and, if the application is successful, the company plans to commence brewing in 2024 following a construction period that will last for approximately two years, according to the statement published on Diageo.com.
Statement By The Tánaiste
The statement published on Diageo.com included a statement from Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar TD that said, "This €200m investment by Diageo is really great news for the future development of Ireland's thriving food and drink industry, and also for the wider national economy. It’s also extremely positive for Newbridge and the local economy in Kildare, with up to 1,000 jobs being created during the construction of the site, and 50 once built. I’m sure there will be many indirect jobs too.”
"We must leave the planet in a better way than we found it. Industry has a role to play and I’m really pleased to see Diageo taking the lead and investing in this carbon neutral brewery, which I’m sure will be a leading example for others."
Statement By Category Head - Global Beer Supply, Diageo
The statement published on Diageo.com also included a statement by Category Head - Global Beer Supply, Diageo, Colin O'Brien that said, "Today is a landmark day for Diageo in Ireland. Our plans for a new, state-of-the-art brewery in Kildare, and the developments at St. James's Gate, will enable growth in overall beer exports from Ireland.
"We are fully committed to embedding sustainability across our business from grain to glass and this announcement represents the next step in our integrated approach towards achieving one of Diageo's Society 2030: Spirit of Progress commitments by becoming carbon neutral in our direct operations."
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