Dawn Meats, a significant player in the Irish foodservice sector, has recently undertaken a substantial investment of €1.5 million to install solar panels at its Grannagh site located in County Waterford. This project, which has spanned 18 months, was spearheaded by engineering director Tom Hyland and involved the installation of 3,500 solar roof panels that collectively cover an area of 8,397 square metres.

The newly installed solar panels are expected to generate an impressive annual output of 1,560,000kWh of electricity, which represents approximately 40% of the yearly energy consumption at the Grannagh facility. This undertaking highlights the site's strategic placement, as its southern orientation grants it optimal sunlight exposure, and the available roof space eliminated the need for additional planning permissions.

The initiative is part of Dawn Meats' broader strategy to enhance renewable energy generation across its operations. Similar solar panel installations are anticipated to follow at other Dawn Meats plants throughout Ireland and the UK. Since 2020, the company has been committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy for its operations and is focused on developing on-site renewable energy capabilities as part of its comprehensive sustainability plan, known as Plan Four Zero.

"We are delighted to announce that our solar panels project is now live at the Grannagh site in Co. Waterford," Tom Hyland stated. "This marks a significant milestone in our journey to use sustainable energy and reduce our carbon footprint. We plan to replicate the success of this project across our sites in Ireland and the UK in the near future.”

Dawn Meats currently employs approximately 8,000 individuals across 12 countries and reports annual revenues of €2.5 billion. The company, which operates under the name Dunbia in the UK and as Dawn Meats in Ireland, processes around one million cattle and 3.5 million sheep each year. Among its substantial supply contracts, the group provides up to 600 million beef burgers to McDonald's across Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe annually.

The company’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainability not only illustrates its forward-thinking approach but also its role within the evolving landscape of the Irish foodservice sector.