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01st Jul 2019

Energia to create up to 5,000 jobs with €3 billion investment in renewable energy projects in Ireland

Rory Cashin

This investment could create up to 5,000 new jobs over the next five years.

Energia announced on Monday that they will be investing over €3 billion into renewable energy technology and infrastructure around Ireland.

This investment is predicted to generate as many as 5,000 construction jobs over the next five years, as well as an additional 200 direct jobs at the company’s new offices in Blanchardstown in Dublin.

Energia already employ approximately 800 people around Ireland.

The new investment will focus on onshore and offshore wind farms, solar power, hydrogen fuel generations, bio energy facilities, and the smart grid, which is an electrical grid that includes a variety of operation and energy measures including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and energy efficient resources.

This would be in line with the government’s commitment to increase renewable energy sources to 70% by the year 2030, as opposed to the current level of just 30%.

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 responded to the announcement with the following statement:

“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.”

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