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Energia Group will invest over €3 Billion in Irish renewable energy generation and related systems over the next 5 years. The announcement was made by Environment Minister Richard Bruton, together with Energia Group CEO Ian Thom as the company opened its new Irish headquarters at Blanchardstown in Dublin.

The new 5 year investment programme by Energia Group is called ‘Positive Energy’.  It will create 200 new jobs directly across the Energia Group 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 on an all-island basis.

Energia Group’s Positive Energy investment programme will be implemented across a range of major renewable energy projects including onshore and offshore wind farms, solar power, hydrogen fuel generation, bio-energy facilities and the smart grid.  It is in line with the Government of Ireland’s commitment to increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources from 30% now, to 70% by 2030. Energia Group anticipates that this new investment will add up to 1.5 Gigawatts (1,500 Megawatts) of renewable generation to the grid over the 5-year programme. This will contribute to further sustainability in Ireland’s energy supply and to the achievement of Ireland’s climate change reduction targets.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD said;

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions means making big changes; at Government, business, community and individual level. Under the Government’s Climate Action Plan, we want to increase the amount of energy produced from renewable sources from the 30% we produce today to 70% by 2030. To do this, we need industry to step up to the mark. I commend Energia Group for announcing this €3 billion investment in a range of renewable energy projects, from wind farms to bio-energy, which will help us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, give us cleaner air and reduce the need for expensive fossil fuel imports. The announcement of 200 new jobs also shows how climate action can create the jobs of the future.  I’m really pleased that the company has chosen Blanchardstown as the location of its new headquarters; Energia Group is very welcome to Dublin West.

Minister Richard Bruton said;

We are committing to generating 70% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. 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. Energia's decision to build on its existing commitment and expand so significantly in Ireland shows the huge opportunity that is available to the sector in a decarbonised society.

Picture Conor McCabe Photography.