GenComm partner Energia hit the headlines in early July when they announced they planned to invest more than £3 billion in renewable infrastructure over the coming five years.
Energia said its infrastructure investment will create an additional 200 jobs at the group in addition to an estimated 3000-5000 construction jobs over the course of the five years.
The projects it plans to focus on include onshore and offshore wind farms, solar power, hydrogen fuel generation and bio energy facilities.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar welcomed the announcement, saying: “Under the government’s Climate Action Plan, we want to increase the amount of energy produced from renewable sources from the 30 per cent we produce today to 70 per cent 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 clearer air and reduce the need for expensive fossil fuel imports.”
Energia Group CEO Ian Thom, said: “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.”
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, said: “Decarbonising our electricity supply is crucial to all the changes we are making as we make the transition away from fossil fuels. This investment by Energia, will boost Irelands capacity, with over £3 billion being invested in onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydrogen fuel generation and bio energy facilities.”