Jobs boost for Galway
Some 145 jobs are to be created at a green energy firm manufacturing small scale wind turbines for farms, factories and homes.
The C&F Green Energy plant in Athenry, Co Galway, will take on the staff over the next three years.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced the expansion and said it will help put Ireland at the forefront of the renewable sector worldwide.
“Not alone are we seeing 145 new manufacturing jobs come on stream today but this project has the potential to generate significant spin off to the Irish economy,” he said.
“The project gives a substantial push to the development of Ireland’s green economy and will help place Ireland in the forefront of the developing renewable energy sector world wide.
“Through Enterprise Ireland, the Government is proud to support this ambitious and visionary investment.”
C&F Green Energy’s small turbines have been in development for the last two years. They range from 6kw to 50kw and are much smaller than the large megawatt rated power generators used in large windfarms.
The design is ideal for farms, factories and individual residential dwellings and allows users to export surplus electricity back to the local grid.
John Flaherty, C&F Green Energy managing director, said: “We at C&F are very excited about the contribution we can make to this dynamic, modern industry with our strong track record in manufacturing excellence.
“More importantly, we are excited about the employment and exporting prospects that it holds for C&F and for our employees into the future as we are certain that we have developed a leading-edge range of products to service a growing world-wide market.”
The investment was backed by Enterprise Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach opened a new €40m engineering building in NUI Galway.
From September, the four-storey facility and its 400 rooms will accommodate 1,100 students and 110 staff. It will support the development of engineers engaged in a new wave of technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Elsewhere, a weedkiller company has announced it is to create 20 jobs in Claregalway.
The positions in sales, marketing and administration will come on stream at Irish Organic Weedkiller over the next 18 months, in an investment worth a €250,000.
