The prestigious Amgen Irish Open, one of the oldest and most celebrated golf tournaments in Europe, is set to become the first sporting event in Ireland to power its live television production and global broadcast exclusively with green hydrogen. European Tour Productions, the DP World Tour’s in-house production company, and its exclusive production and distribution partner, IMG, have collaborated with, ESB, the Electricity Supply Board in Ireland, UK-based clean energy company GeoPura, and specialist TV hire company FTVS to deliver a broadcast with zero harmful emissions.
Two Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs) are being used to power the event’s broadcast coverage, producing zero CO2 or particulate emissions with water the only by-product. This transition is supported locally by ESB and is part of its broader strategy to showcase the versatility of hydrogen fuel cell technology across various applications in Ireland’s energy mix. Developed by GeoPura, HPUs utilise green hydrogen to produce clean electricity, eliminating the carbon emissions associated with power generation. This not only reduces the broadcast’s carbon footprint but also eliminates both air and noise pollution, creating a healthier and more pleasant experience for players, attendees and staff nearby.
This initiative follows the successful deployment of green hydrogen technology at the 2023 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, reflecting the DP World Tour’s commitment to sustainability through its “Green Drive” strategy, which aims for net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
David Mould, Director of Live Television at the DP World Tour, said: “Adopting green hydrogen for the Amgen Irish Open is a significant milestone in the European Tour Group’s quest to achieve a Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 and a first in Ireland. Hydrogen power represents the future of energy in live broadcasting, offering a resilient, zero-emissions solution. This initiative sets a new standard for sustainable sports broadcasting, and we look forward to our first fully green hydrogen powered Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down this week.”
Sally Wood, VP and Head of Golf Content at IMG, added: “We’re always looking at ways that we can improve the sustainability of our live event production, while also supporting clients with their own green initiatives. IMG and European Tour Productions have continued to show how hydrogen power can be successfully integrated to deliver world class broadcast coverage with a lower impact on the environment.”
“We are delighted to champion the use of green hydrogen at the Amgen Irish Open, in alignment with our commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2040. This initiative will enhance our understanding of the role green hydrogen will play in the net zero energy system and how it can be harnessed to benefit the environment, the sports industry, and the community at large.” Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading David Watson, General Manager of Film and TV Services, commented: “This innovative approach ensures that the coverage remains high quality while aligning with our commitment to achieving zero emissions. Combined with our other sustainable solutions, we’re excited to include this technology in our provision and further demonstrate its potential to revolutionise how large-scale live events are powered.”
Tiffany Scott, CMO at GeoPura, emphasised the impact of green hydrogen technology: “HPUs offer a clean, reliable power source that transforms live sports events. By eliminating carbon, air, and noise pollution, we create a better experience for all—players, spectators, and staff—while contributing to a healthier planet. The fact that the only output is water, which could even be used to water the course, underscores the versatility and sustainability of this technology.”
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Notes to Editors:
1. Event Details: The Amgen Irish Open will take place from 12th to 15th September 2024 at Royal County Down Golf Club, Northern Ireland.
2. GeoPura Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs): GeoPura’s HPUs use green hydrogen produced through renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. The HPUs generate zero emissions, produce only water as a by-product, and operate quietly, providing a sustainable power solution for live events. HPU technology offers several transformative benefits:
o Zero Carbon Footprint: The HPUs produce electricity without any CO2 emissions, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the event.
o Cleaner Air and Quieter Operation: By eliminating both air and noise pollution, the HPUs create a healthier, quieter, and more pleasant environment for staff, players, and spectators. The silent operation ensures no disruption to the broadcast or the on-course experience.
o Pure Water Output: The only by-product is water, which can be collected and used to irrigate the golf course, further enhancing the event’s sustainable credentials.
o Reliable and Portable: Designed for consistent performance, the HPUs provide a reliable power source even in remote locations, making them ideal for sports events without access to grid power.
3. About the “Green Drive” Initiative: The DP World Tour’s “Green Drive” sustainability strategy aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and is a key part of the “Golf for Good” program, which focuses on delivering positive environmental and social impact through golf.
4. About Royal County Down Golf Club: Renowned for its stunning landscapes and challenging layout, Royal County Down is one of the world’s most prestigious golf courses, having hosted the Irish Open multiple times, most recently in 2015.
5. Additional Media Opportunities: High-resolution images, behind-the-scenes videos, and interviews with key stakeholders will be made available to the media upon request.
About the Amgen Irish Open First played in 1927, the Irish Open is one of Europe’s most prestigious golf tournaments, attracting a legendary list of former champions, including Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, and Shane Lowry. The 2024 edition marks the fifth time the tournament will be held at Royal County Down Golf Club, a venue known for its stunning scenery and challenging conditions.
About The European Tour group
The European Tour group is the overarching corporate brand which administers five competition brands: the DP World Tour, the Challenge Tour, the Legends Tour, the G4D Tour and, along with the PGA of America, is the Managing Partner of golf’s greatest team contest, the Ryder Cup.
Established in 1972, the European Tour group is committed to ‘Driving Golf Further’ through our guiding principles of being innovative, inclusive and global. Innovative: We are driving innovation in golf through the creation of award-winning content, pioneering tournament formats and the use of the latest technology and inventive fan engagement. We are committed to attracting new audiences whilst respecting the tradition of our sport. Inclusive: We are committed to include all who share a love for the game of golf. We are passionate about a closer collaboration with the women’s game, disability golf and promoting the many physical and mental health benefits of playing golf. Global: Since 1972, players from 37 different countries have won tournaments on our main Tour, while our live broadcast reaches more than 490 million homes in
more than 150 countries every week, generating in excess of 2,200 global broadcast hours for each event. We also enjoy the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with DP World, Rolex, BMW, Emirates, Fortinet and Hilton as Official Partners.
The European Tour group has Strategic Alliances with the PGA TOUR, the Sunshine Tour, and the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, while we also drive positive community impact through our overarching sustainability programme, Golf for Good.
About IMG
IMG is a global sports, events and representation company. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.
About GeoPura:
Established to decarbonise global economies using zero-emission fuels, GeoPura has grown rapidly since delivering its first Hydrogen Power Unit (HPU) in collaboration with Siemens Energy in 2019. GeoPura’s HPU technology and end-to-end service is a multi-purpose replacement for diesel power worldwide and is available today. GeoPura generates hydrogen, stores and transports the fuel to customers for use in its HPUs – customers simply rent the units and pay for the fuel used.
The company is initially targeting sectors with the highest diesel use today, such as construction, film and TV, infrastructure, and outdoor events. It is also providing a solution to power commercial EV charging, where the local electricity network alone isn’t sufficient without additional support. The only by-product is pure water and heat.
