Green energy project proposed at Coca-Cola's Mayo plant

A solar PV farm is being proposed in Ballina that will electrify the heating system at the local Coca-Cola plant.

Set on a total site area of 16.5 hectares at Belleek, an application for planning permission has been lodged with Mayo County Council by European Refreshments Unlimited Company (trading as Coca-Cola Ballina).

A report submitted to planners sets out how the main objective of the project is to electrify the heating system in Coca-Cola Ballina.

The Climate Action Plan 2023 calls for decarbonisation of heat through heat pump installation.

The project, if granted, will see a reduction of 7,900 tonnes CO₂ through electrification of heat using solar PV energy generation. This is equivalent to having 3,600 houses retrofitted with an air source heat pump.

The total annual power output from the proposed solar farm will be 17GWh.

A derelict cottage and agricultural shed are located to the south west of the site. These buildings will be demolished as part of the project construction.

Permission is sought for the proposed solar farm for a period of 10 years with an operational period of 35 years.

The proposed development will supply up to 20.1 MWp of power to the existing facility, contributing to the secure provision of green energy for business operations.