Bord Gáis Energy at the heart of energising a greener, fairer future for Ireland
In the face of climate challenges and the urgent need for more renewable energy on the grid, Bord Gáis Energy is positioned to play a key role in driving Ireland’s energy transition.
Leading Ireland’s energy transition
With a clear commitment to achieving net zero by 2045, the company, underpinned by its parent Centrica, is investing heavily in the infrastructure and skills required to power a sustainable future.
The transition to a green energy company is no small undertaking and will see Bord Gáis Energy move from 500 megawatts of green energy to 3,200 megawatts over the next six years. By 2030, Bord Gáis Energy aims to supply up to 10 per cent of Ireland’s total energy demand from green sources through partnerships and investments in large-scale infrastructure projects.
Harnessing offshore wind power
It is well established that Ireland, with its vast coastline and strong wind resources, holds significant potential for offshore wind development. Recognising this, Bord Gáis Energy formed a strategic partnership with Corio Generation, a global leader in offshore wind development, earlier in 2024. This collaboration combines Bord Gáis Energy’s experience as a leading energy retailer and Corio’s extensive experience in developing large-scale offshore wind projects globally.
This partnership will help unlock the potential of offshore wind, which is critical to decarbonising Ireland’s energy system. By capitalising on the potential of offshore wind, Bord Gáis Energy will not only enhance Ireland’s energy security, but also provide customers and businesses with cleaner, more affordable energy. 90 per cent of Bord Gáis Energy’s renewable electricity generation will come from wind by 2030.
Investing in solar energy
Wind energy is a cornerstone of Ireland’s renewable energy strategy, but it is only part of the equation. Solar energy is another critical area that Bord Gáis Energy is investing in to help decarbonise Ireland’s energy mix. In collaboration with the Irish Farmer’s Association, Bord Gáis Energy has established an innovative programme to bring solar installations to farmers across Ireland.
Bord Gáis Energy’s teams have experience in completing over 1,500 solar installations nationwide, and the company expects to install 300 more solar systems on homes and farms this year alone. Looking ahead, the company aims to deliver 12,000 solar installations by 2029, helping customers across the country reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and lower their energy bills.
Securing Ireland’s energy supply
While renewable energy is key to a sustainable future, ensuring the security of energy supply remains critical, especially as we transition to a grid dominated by intermittent renewables like wind and solar. To address this, Bord Gáis Energy is making significant investments in two gas peaker plants in Athlone and Dublin, which are currently under development. These plants are designed to provide backup power during periods of high demand or when renewable energy generation is low.
The plants can move from a standing start to full power generation in just six minutes, ensuring that Ireland’s energy supply remains secure and stable. Importantly, these plants are hydrogen enabled meaning they are future-proofed to operate on renewable gas when it becomes available. The €300 million investment in peaker plants will significantly alleviate pressure on the national grid and help integrate more renewable energy into the system. The plants are expected to come online in 2025, providing a crucial bridge between Ireland’s current reliance on fossil fuels and its renewable energy future.
As part of its upstream investments, the company is also delivering innovative hydrogen, ammonia, battery storage, and hydrogen-ready gas storage projects – such as Project Kestrel off the coast of Kinsale – which will further support security of energy supply in Ireland.
Empowering the people behind the transition
At the heart of Bord Gáis Energy’s ambitious plans for the future are its people. The company recognises that building the infrastructure for a netzero future is only part of the solution; equipping its workforce with the right skills is equally essential. Over the next five years, Bord Gáis Energy will increase its headcount by 50 per cent, creating hundreds of new jobs across the country to support the energy transition.
This growth will be supported by the company’s technical skills apprentice programme (launched in 2021) and a graduate program, both of which are designed to nurture the next generation of engineers to support Ireland’s green energy transition. Existing employees are also being provided with the tools and training necessary to adapt to the rapidly changing energy landscape. By empowering its people, Bord Gáis Energy is ensuring that it has the talent and expertise to drive forward the transition to a cleaner, greener energy system.
A brighter future
How we do business is just as important to us as why. We are firmly committed to ensuring that the transition is a just one. We do this through our partnerships with Focus Ireland to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness; our Energy Support Fund to support vulnerable people struggling to pay bills; as well as our inclusive workplace culture.
Through strategic partnerships, large scale infrastructure projects and significant investments in renewable energy, the company is helping to build the foundation for a greener, fairer future. As Ireland moves towards its 2030 climate goals and beyond to carbon neutrality in 2050, Bord Gáis Energy aims to play a central role in Ireland’s renewable energy transition.
For further information visit www.bordgaisenergy.ie
