ESB plans 800 MW of Scottish clean energy projects from new office

ESB has officially opened an office at George Street Glasgow today, from where it will continue to develop high quality renewable energy generation projects in Scotland.

The energy company has earmarked 800 MW of clean electricity generation in Scotland, primarily onshore wind. Working in partnership with wind farm developers, including through development partnerships with Coriolis and REG Holdings, ESB has eleven wind farms in development, aiming to bring its total investment in onshore wind across Great Britain to over one gigawatt by 2030.

With a 90 year history, ESB, Ireland’s foremost energy company, has been developing and operating power generation investments in Britain since 1992. Recently, the company built an 884 MW gas fired power station, at Carrington near Manchester, which powers one million homes.  ESB is currently commissioning a £190 million, 40 MW waste wood biomass plant at Tilbury in Essex in partnership with the Green Investment Group.

Speaking at the opening, Paddy Hayes, Executive Director, Generation and Wholesale Markets ESB, said: 

“The opening of ESB’s new office in Scotland is an important strategic development.   The commitment supports our ambition to grow low carbon and renewable generation as part of the transition to a low carbon economy, powered by clean electricity.”

“Currently, our renewable generation portfolio can generate and supply over 1,000 MW of green energy to homes, farms, hospitals, schools, and businesses throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. Building on a proud 90 year legacy, we are a responsible developer and we strive to be a good neighbour to every community in which we operate, as we move the dial on the transition to a low carbon future.”

Officiating at today’s ceremony, Scottish Government Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse, said:

"I warmly welcome ESB’s commitment to Scotland, and the company’s ambitious investment plans for developing renewable energy projects here.

“Scotland’s commitment to growing our low carbon, sustainable energy supply is well known and we have made great progress already with renewable electricity output having almost trebled since 2006 and with the equivalent of more than half of Scotland’s electricity demand now being met from renewable sources.  The Scottish Government is determined to ensure that Scotland remains a highly attractive investment destination as we develop our Energy Strategy to ensure we continue on the road towards decarbonising our whole energy system.”

ESB is also developing a 1,650 MW gas fired power station at Knottingley, West Yorkshire and is exploring a number of offshore wind and waste to energy developments. ESB is also building a new electricity retail business in Great Britain, to be called ESB Energy.