Dublin-based energy company Airtricity has renamed its renewable energy development business as SSE Renewables. A leading European developer of renewable energy, SSE Renewables will be headquartered in Sandyford, Dublin, and will employ more than 200 staff out of 17 office locations throughout Europe.
The leading renewable energy developer has invested more than €800 million to date in renewable energy generation across the island, and says it will invest a further €120 million in renewables in Ireland in the financial year 2010/2011.
The work of SSE Renewables
SSE Renewables will be responsible for the development and construction of SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc) Group’s renewable energy projects across Ireland, Great Britain and Continental Europe.
“Since joining SSE in 2008, the Airtricity team has taken our renewables business forward into a range of new areas, expanding their expertise beyond their original wind energy focus,” said SSE chief executive Ian Marchant. “Changing the business’ name to SSE Renewables recognises that their knowledge and enthusiasm now embraces the full spectrum of sustainable energy.”
“The launch of SSE renewables is an exciting development for the company that will allow our renewables business to flourish,” said chief executive officer Paul Dowling. “The creation of SSE Renewables supports and promotes SSE’s European business objectives and reflects the company’s continued investment in renewables. SSE Renewables not only celebrates Airtricity’s proud heritage over the past decade as a wind farm developer but also marks the company’s natural progression as it embarks upon exploring and delivering new renewable energy technologies. In addition to wind farm developments, we will champion marine, hydro, biomass, and solar in Ireland, the UK and Europe to protect the future of our planet with even more passion, innovation and integrity.”
What SSE does
SSE is a leading generator of renewable energy in Ireland and the UK, with more than 2,200MW of renewable electricity generation capacity (wind, hydro and biomass) and a portfolio of more than 15,000MW of renewable energy projects in construction, with consent or in development.
SSE Renewables will develop almost 2,500MW of consented offshore wind farm projects in Ireland (Arklow Bank), Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany, as well as almost 1,500MW of consented onshore wind farm capacity in Ireland, Great Britain, Sweden, Portugal and Italy. In addition to onshore and offshore wind, the new company will be responsible for the exploration and development of other renewables technologies including hydro, marine, biomass and solar.
SSE Renewables is developing two of Europe’s larger wind farms, a 350MW onshore wind farm, Clyde, located in the Upper Clyde Valley in Scotland and a 504MW offshore wind farm, Greater Gabbard, located off the Suffolk coast of England, with joint venture partners RWE.
Airtricity’s renewables development and energy supply businesses became part of SSE in February 2008 when the Perth, Scotland-based company acquired the Irish business. The Airtricity greener energy supply business, which employs 300 staff, will continue to use the Airtricity brand while supplying energy to 150,000 customers in Ireland.
Photo: Airtricity chief executive officer Paul Dowling.
Article courtesy of businessandleadership.com
