Renewable energy fund Solar 21 to double staff here

IRISH renewable energy fund Solar 21 is planning to recruit 25 people in the next year following strong demand from investors.

The new jobs will double the company’s staff in Ireland. The solar power investment business was established four years ago and now employs 21 people in this country, in addition to employees in Germany and Italy who manage its solar farms. It is based in Rathcoole in Dublin.

The company has a fund worth close to €150m invested in solar farms across Europe, which pays out an 8.5pc annual return. It said yesterday that it has seen strong interest from Irish investors in the fund and has benefited from...

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EPA’s Review of 2012

“A clean, healthy and well protected environment is a vital asset in its own right and also lies at the heart of economic recovery,” says Laura Burke, EPA Director General, at the release of the EPA’s review of 2012. The Statement, A Year in Review, sets out progress made in 2012 in the following priority areas:

* Developing a new Statement of Strategy;

* Re-energising the public on the value and importance of our environment;

* Helping businesses and organisations to grow in a more sustainable and resource efficient way;

* Implementing the recommendations of the independent Review Body of the EPA;

* Delivering a solution to Kerdiff...

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EU Wind Power Grows in 2012 But Industry Challenged in 2013

The EU wind energy sector installed 11.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in 2012, bringing the total wind power capacity to 105.6 GW, according to the 2012 annual statistics launched by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The 11.6 GW installed in 2012 is higher than the 9.4 GW installed in 2011.

“The 2012 figures reflect orders made before the wave of political uncertainty that has swept across Europe since 2011, which is having a hugely negative impact on the wind energy sector”, explains Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA. “We expect this instability to be far more apparent in 2013 and 2014 installation levels.”

Wind energy repre...

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Kedco set to develop biomass energy site at Derry port

15th January 2013

Cork-based Kedco has signed a “head of terms” with Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners to develop a new biomass electricity and heat generating plant at the port.

The London AIM-listed company currently operates a 4MW biomass plant in Newry and the Altilow wind project in Donegal.

Kedco has agreed an option to lease 10 acres in the Derry port where it proposes to develop a 25MW plant. The earmarked site is in the same vicinity as ESB’s 400 MW Coolkeeragh gas-fired power plant and another biomass project that has received planning permission.

Kedco’s share price climbed yesterday by 12.5 per ce...

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