29th May 2014
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Was Seán Sherlock in Cork today? yes he was. The Junior Minister made a swift visit to Ringaskiddy. Mr Sherlock could be the next Deputy Labour Leader.
The Minister of state officiated at an event to formally switch on Johnson & Johnson’s two wind turbines in Cork’s lower harbour, which will support the DePuy Synthes and Janssen Biologics manufacturing operations. The wind turbines will reduce environmental impacts, boost competitiveness and lower energy costs by as much as 30 percent at both sites.
Welcoming the wind turbine initiative, Minister Sherlock said, “I congratulate Johnson & Johnson for its leadership in the sustainable energy sector. This investment sends a strong message to headquarters that the Cork plants are serious about reducing costs while maintaining competitiveness. Wind energy will safeguard jobs, provide security of energy supply, help Ireland meet its EU carbon reduction targets and reduce our dependence on expensive fossil fuels.”
Commenting on the initiative Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland said: “This is the culmination of several years of working with the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group on this ground breaking project. Johnson and Johnson maintains the highest environmental and energy efficiency standards anywhere in the world, and I am delighted that IDA Ireland could play its part in helping to make this project become a reality.
“It is also testament to the close cooperation that exists between IDA Ireland and SEAI in helping multinational companies enhance their energy efficiency. The unique experience that SEAI brings is critical in facilitating IDA Ireland clients to identify and implement sound initiatives to reduce energy consumption and enhance cost competitiveness,” concluded Barry O’Leary.
The wind turbine project is the outcome of an unique collaboration between Johnson & Johnson, GSK and Novartis – the Cork Lower Harbour Energy Group. Collectively, the four companies are responsible for the employment of over 4,000 people in Ireland and have invested more than €2 billion in the Cork area over the last twenty years.