Ahascragh Distillery Zero Emissions Technology
Ahascragh Distillery is on target to be the first eco-distillery of this scale in Ireland. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is supporting the development of the distillery, with capital support of €500,000.
Located in the heart of the small East Galway village, the previously derelict mill complex is being transformed, and the company is gearing up for distillation by the end of the year. Founders Gareth and Michelle McAllister have the drive to distil some of the first zero-emissions spirits in Ireland and change the traditional energy source for Irish whiskey production.
Ahascragh Distillery was recently granted €500,000 capital support to complete the construction of the eco-distillery and visitor experience. The funding is being awarded to the company through SEAI’s EXEED Programme, aimed at organisations that are planning an energy-efficient investment project.
Ahascragh Distillery engaged FDT Consulting Engineers and Project Managers Ltd. to undertake an energy-efficient design review of the proposed distillery in Ahascragh. Decarbonisation specialist Astatine developed and installed the technology that has delivered substantial reductions in the utility demands of the distillery through a novel means of thermal storage, combined with optimal heat recovery within the process.
Some key features of the new distillery:
- The peak heating and cooling demand has more than halved
- Unlike other distilleries in Ireland, the heat delivered to the distillery will not require the combustion of any fossil fuels and will utilise green electricity
- Heat will be provided to the distillery through heat pumps which means that there will be no flue-related emissions or impacts on the local environment
- The heat pump design, heat recovery and thermal storage means that the energy inputs to the distillery are a third than that of traditional technology
- The building itself has been protected with much of the original machinery and wooden beams being restored and reused.
Founder and Managing Director, Gareth McAllister said:
“We are delighted that SEAI has recognised this energy-efficient design and are providing capital support to help realise the project. Ahascragh Distillery will be the first eco-distillery of this scale in Ireland to be powered by renewable energy and will produce some of the first zero-emission Irish spirits. It is our ambition to make Irish whiskey production more sustainable and environmentally friendly. We are excited to be making whiskey history in the West of Ireland.”
Source: Ahascragh Distillery
