Minister Pat Rabbitte TD officially opened Natural Power’s Irish headquarters in Dublin, with the creation of 20 highly skilled positions. Natural Power is a leading international renewable energy consultancy, with a full range of construction services, as well as providing access to the full lifecycle range of services available through the company across the Onshore Wind, Offshore Wind, Wave, Tidal, Biomass, Solar PV and Hydro sectors.
This investment is supported by Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.
It’s presence in Ireland will allow Natural Power to continue to build on their well respected services, with the Dublin office focusing on construction projects. With over 50 wind farm projects completed to date across Europe and North America, Natural Power offers a complete and comprehensive range of construction management, technical advice, design and geotechnical support.
Speaking prior to the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) Annual Conference, Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources said: “The Irish coast line has an abundance of renewable energy, in the offshore wind sector and it is vital that we continue to appropriately exploit this natural resource to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, which has a negative effect on our environment. Natural Power will support Ireland’s renewable energy strategy to deliver sustainable energy infrastructure to benefit the economy.”
Ralph Spernagel, Construction Director commented : “The office in Dublin presents an exciting prospect for providing high quality construction management and consultancy services to clients within the Irish renewable market – from a permanent base, in a great location. Within the team we have a large number of well qualified Irish engineers who, as well as having local knowledge, have been developing their construction management skills within the buoyant UK renewable energy sector over the past number of years. It is a natural progression for us to relocate their skill set back to a reinvigorated market in Ireland. We will also be seeking to supplement our business with talented engineers that are available locally to the new office in Dublin. We are confident that Natural Power can provide valuable services to assist project developers and funders in taking their projects from initial consent right through to successful operation.”
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said : “The green economy forms a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, and across Government we are putting in place a range of measures to ensure that we take advantage of Ireland’s advantages in this area to create employment. Today’s announcement is very positive and provides an indication of the potential that exists. I commend all involved, and wish Natural Power every success with their operations in Ireland.”
Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland said: “Ireland is taking a lead in promoting the sustainable energy sector, maximising our ocean energy potential in the rapidly developing Clean Tech sector. Natural Power’s decision to establish an operation in Ireland, will offer an alternative cleaner energy source to consumers. Ireland has the expertise to be a key world player in the development of the ocean energy marketplace.”
Natural Power operates globally with offices in the UK, Europe and North America. Dublin represents the company’s first office in Ireland and thirteenth office internationally. The office will be based at First Floor, Suite 6, The Mall, Beacon Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18.
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Press release, March 28, 2013; Image: Natural Power