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Supporting our clients on the journey towards sustainability is part of the work Arup does to shape a better world, as a growing number of companies worldwide consider their environmental impact. Arup worked with four healthcare manufacturing firms in Ireland to achieve their goal of reducing their carbon footprint. Known as the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group, Arup worked with DePuy Synthes, Janssen, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis to secure planning permission for the installation of wind turbines.
The second largest natural harbour in the world, Cork is a strategic shipping port and industrial hub that offers significant residential and leisure amenities. It is also a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.
Our planning advisors and environmental consultants considered these aspects of the harbour when preparing the planning applications and Environmental Impact Statements. Working with Cork County Council, our specialists demonstrated the positive impact the wind turbines would have on the area to secure planning permission.
Project Summary
30% reduction in electricity costs
3MWenergy generated on each site
“Our engineers, planning advisors and environmental consultants worked closely with all stakeholders to secure planning permission for this green energy initiative on a complex site, helping these blue-chip manufacturing companies with their sustainability ambitions. ”
John O’Mahony Director
Planning advisory from zoning to delivery
Arup advised the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group on all aspects of the planning consulting process, helping each of the four companies to secure planning permission for the installation of wind turbines on their respective sites.
Beyond planning advice, our advisors helped with the stakeholder consultations to decide on the optimal location for each of the turbines on these active production sites, while responding to planning permission appeals. Consulting with all relevant bodies, we prepared comprehensive Environmental Impact Statements, including a study of bird habitats, as well as the day and night flight paths of wintering birds.
Following the approval of planning, we provided a front-end civil and electrical engineering design for each of the sites, together with a design basis and a cost estimate to bring the project to life. The Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group carried out cost-benefit analyses for each of the sites, on the back of which DePuy Synthes, Janssen and GlaxoSmithKline proceeded to erect the wind turbines.
Ongoing environmental monitoring
Part of a European network of important ecological sites called Natura 2000, the Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation ensure that rare and threatened species are protected. As the wind turbines are in close proximity to the Special Protection Area for birds and multiple Special Areas of Conservation, monitoring these protected species and nature conservation sites for the first three years of operation was a vital part of maintaining planning compliance. Our consultants carried out environmental assessments to track the flight paths of birds and monitor the biodiversity of the area.
