Intel goes 100% renewable to power 360-acre Leixlip campus

Intel Ireland announced today that 100% of all electricity supplied to its Leixlip campus in 2016 was generated from indigenous renewable sources, making Intel one of the largest voluntary, private purchasers of renewable energy in the country. This action forms part of Intel Ireland’s multi-faceted approach to reduce its impact on the environment and to support its commitment as a global energy sustainability champion.

Intel’s 360-acre Leixlip campus is home to one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing processes. Intel employs 4900 people in Ireland and has been operating here since 1989.

Since 2016, Intel Ireland has bought all of its power from its key supplier, Electric Ireland. Ireland is the first major Intel location outside of the U.S. to have bought 100% certifiable renewable electricity. Simultaneously, Intel has greened its energy supply in over a dozen major European facilities to 100%.

Speaking about the renewable energy purchase, Intel Ireland General Manager Eamonn Sinnott said; “We are very proud to be announcing today that 100 percent of all electricity supplied to our Leixlip campus is now purchased as renewable power from Electric Ireland. We are doing this as part of our multi-faceted approach to environmental awareness and as part of Intel’s commitment to being a global energy sustainability champion”.

“We hope that our decision to go green will help to further stimulate the renewable energy market and encourage other businesses to follow suit. The more participation in the green power market and the more additional capacity that can come on stream will ultimately further help the environment and help to lower costs.”

Electric Ireland is the retail arm of ESB, and ESB Chief Executive Pat O’Doherty was on hand today to welcome the announcement. “It is a genuine pleasure for ESB and Electric Ireland to partner with Intel – one of the world’s leading companies – so that it can run its Leixlip plants entirely on renewable electricity. When ESB was founded 90 years ago, 100% of the energy we generated was renewable, harnessed from the River Shannon. As we face into the energy challenges of the coming decades, this provides us with inspiration to play a leading role in Ireland’s transition to a low carbon future. The Electric Ireland agreement with Intel is an example of how we seek to place our customer at the centre of this low carbon future, powered by clean, reliable and affordable electricity.”

Based on Electric Ireland data, Intel is the largest, voluntary, private purchaser of indigenous renewable energy in Ireland. Intel is also the largest voluntary green power purchaser in the United States for the past nine years, according to EPA data from the United States.