SSE claims to have invested €2bn in Ireland since 2008

6 Jun 2013

Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte, TD, pictured with outgoing SSE chief executive Ian Marchant at SSE's new corporate headquarters in Leopardstown, Co Dublin. Also pictured are representatives from SSE's 1,500 employee base in Ireland

Energy utility SSE has marked its fifth anniversary in Ireland, with the company claiming that it has invested the equivalent of €1m every day for the last five years, bringing its total investment in Ireland to over €2bn since 2008.

SSE, which owns the energy supplier Airtricity, now employs more than 1,500 people in Ireland, according to outgoing chief executive Ian Marchant.

The energy provider has also acquired a five-story building at South County Business Park in Leopardstown, Co, Dublin, where it will house up to 650 employees.

Speaking this morning at SSE’s new corporate headquarters in Dublin, Marchant said that since the company acquired Airtricity in 2008, its Irish operation has expanded rapidly.

“Five years on our growth translates to €2bn invested in Ireland or just over €1m every day since 2008.”

He said that SSE now employs over 1,500 people in Ireland across its energy businesses including energy generation, supply and services; thermal and renewable development; and public lighting and electrical contracting.

Of this figure, 400 employees are currently working on the construction of a 460MW gas-fired electricity generation unit in Great Island, Co Wexford, that is due to be commissioned in early 2014.

Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte, TD, was also at SSE’s new Dublin offices where he spoke about the company’s commitment to the Irish economy.  

“I welcome the fact that SSE now has over 1,500 people in employment on the island,” said Rabbitte.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com