The Irish energy company Energia Group has announced plans to invest €3 billion in renewable energy generation over the next five years.
The firm, which supplies energy to customers on both sides of the Irish border said the investment will mean it will be able to add up to 1.5GW of renewable generation to the grid, as part of its new Positive Energy programme.
The programme will also create 200 new jobs directly in areas such as customer energy solutions and renewable technology, and an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 construction jobs over the duration of the programme.
Energia Group currently employs 800 people in Ireland.
The Irish Government has already committed to increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources from 30 per cent now, to 70 per cent by 2030
The group already supplies approximately 25 per cent of the island’s total energy and 21 per cent of total wind power, meeting the power needs of more than 750,000 homes and businesses.
“This is a proud day for Energia Group and an important milestone as we celebrate twenty years serving in the deregulated energy markets across the island of Ireland,” said chief executive, Ian Thom.
“To date we have invested over €1 billion in the Irish energy market, driving developments to meet the needs of a high-performance economy and society, north and south.
“Our decision to invest over €3 billion in renewable technology and energy infrastructure in the coming years is a clear signal of our intent to build on our continuous commitment to Irish communities, the economy and the sustainability of Ireland’s energy supply while contributing decisively to decarbonisation and the protection of our domestic and global environment,” added Thom.
The Irish minister for communications, climate action and the environment, Richard Bruton added: “Decarbonising our electricity supply is crucial to all the changes we are making as we make the transition away from fossil fuels.
“The move to electric vehicles for example, will only be effective if the electricity being used has been generated from renewable sources. This investment by Energia, will boost Ireland’s capacity, with over €3 billion being invested in onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydrogen fuel generation and bio-energy facilities.”