Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese reduced gasoil usage and dependency on the grid, surpassing the milestone targets by 41% and 32.25% respectively.
In response to rising energy costs and environmental concerns, Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese has set ambitious targets to enhance their energy efficiency. The company’s primary focus is on reducing reliance on fossil fuels by replacing the 20-year-old gasoil boiler with a more environmentally friendly option. They are evaluating alternatives such as HVO and Biomass, aiming for a 10% reduction in gasoil usage per tonne over the duration of the plan.
Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese’s efforts to generate renewable energy include installing solar panels, which are projected to supply 30% of the electricity needs and exploring the feasibility of a wind turbine. This initiative is part of a broader target to reduce grid electricity use to 60% of total consumption within five years. In 2023, the company successfully decreased gasoil usage per unit output from 137.42 l/t in 2022 to 78.75 l/t, and reduced dependency on the grid per unit output from 903.23 kWh/t in 2022 to 611.92 kWh/t, exceeding the milestone targets by 41% and 32.25% respectively, despite increased output. The company is also in the final stages of acquiring a new steam boiler to further decrease their carbon footprint. Overall, these measures have significantly lowered energy use and environmental impact, positioning the company for continued growth in sustainability.
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