Northern Ireland foodservice business Lynas aims to achieve energy self-sufficiency with Bank of Ireland support.
Lynas Foodservice has announced a £4.3m investment in renewable energy infrastructure aimed at achieving energy self-sufficiency, reducing operational costs, and lowering carbon emissions.
The project has been supported by Bank of Ireland UK.
The investment includes the installation of solar panels on the roof of the company’s factory premises in Coleraine and the commissioning of a 1.25MW wind turbine on an adjacent site. A microgrid system has also been developed to enable on-site battery storage and export of surplus energy back to the grid.
Responsible business
Glenn Murray, Business Manager, Bank of Ireland UK with Andrew Lynas, Group Managing Director, Lynas Foodservice, and Danielle Whoriskey, Senior Business Manager, Bank of Ireland UK
“The investment we are announcing has funded the installation of solar panels on the roof of our factory premises in Coleraine and a new 1.25MW wind turbine on an adjacent site,” explained Andrew Lynas, Group Managing Director of Lynas Foodservice.
“We have also developed a microgrid system, enabling us to import the renewable energy into on-site battery storage and export surplus power back to the grid.”
He added: “This is a significant investment for the business. The changes we are implementing will deliver 75 percent renewable electricity to all the businesses, warehouse and offices on-site here in Coleraine. They will help us to minimise the environmental impact of our business, give us energy security and reduce our vulnerability to energy price fluctuations.”
Lynas also acknowledged the role of Bank of Ireland UK in supporting the initiative. “Danielle and the team at Bank of Ireland know our business and understand how significant this is for the long-term sustainability of our operations as we work towards expansion into new markets and we are delighted with their support. We are creating a more environmentally conscious and sustainable business which is an important driver for us and is increasingly important to our customers.”
He noted that the project aligns with the company’s operational needs. “This project works for us as we use power 24/7 at a constant level with large freezers and chillers and this has taken the equivalent of 700 homes off the grid in the local area.”
Lynas Foodservice is Ireland’s largest family-owned and operated foodservice company. It supplies the hospitality and catering trade across Ireland and Scotland and operates 11 retail outlets in Northern Ireland under the Lynas Food Outlet brand. The company employs over 700 staff and serves more than 5,000 customers with a product range that includes frozen, chilled, ambient, and non-food items.
The renewable energy project follows recent developments at the company’s site at Loughanhill Industrial Estate in Coleraine and its expansion into the Scottish market.
“We are delighted to support Lynas Foodservice in this latest development for the business,” said Danielle Whoriskey, Senior Business Manager at Bank of Ireland UK. “At Bank of Ireland we work closely with our customers to understand their ambitions so that we can support them with the right products and services at the right time.”
She added: “With sustainability a focus for all industries and sectors, we are committed to playing our part by supporting local businesses to integrate environmentally friendly infrastructure and operations as they evolve and expand. Having been in business for more than seven decades, this latest investment is creating a more sustainable future for the business and a more sustainable food eco-system, and we are proud to support them in this next step of their growth journey.”
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